Gabadinho excuses himself from squad to focus on AmaZulu pre-season

AmaZulu’s new signing Gabadinho Mhango has excused himself from Malawi’s Cosafa Cup squad in order to complete his relocation from Orlando Pirates.

Football Association of Malawi spokesperson Gomezgani Zakazaka told FARPost that the Pirates outcast requested the Flames coach Mario Marinica to exclude him from next month’s Cosafa Cup assignment scheduled for Durban.

“He requested the coach that he should excuse him from the squad so that he should have a proper pre-season training with the new team, AmaZulu in South Africa,” Zakazaka said.

Mhango is Malawi’s all-time Cosafa Cup leading scorer with six goals from eight games having featured only in the 2016 and 2019 editions.

Marinica has since drafted in the squad Mozambique-based skipper John Banda alongside Peter Banda of Tanzania’s Simba and South Africa-based duo of Chembezi Denis and Khuda Muyaba.

Denis and Muyaba play for Polokwane City in the GladAfrica Championship whereas John Banda is on the books of UD Songo.

The coach released the squad on Saturday ahead of the tournament to take place in Durban, South Africa.

Marinica wants to use the Cosafa Cup to prepare for African Nations Championship and AFCON qualifiers scheduled between July and September 2022.

The Flames will start camp training at Mpira Village in Blantyre on Monday to prepare for group B battles against Lesotho, Eswatini and Mauritius.

Malawi open their campaign against Lesotho on July 6 at King Zwelithini Stadium before facing Eswatini at the same venue two days later. 

The Flames will play their final group match against Mauritius at the Princess Magogo on July 10.

The overall winner of Malawi’s group shall date guest participants Senegal in the quarterfinals on July 13 at Princess Magogo Stadium.

Malawi squad:

Goalkeepers: Ernest Kankhobwe, Clever Nkungula, Charles Thom

Defenders: Dennis Chembezi, Stanley Sanudi, Herbert Wayekha, Paul Ndlovu, Blessings Mpokera, Kelvin Kadzinje, Gomezgani Chirwa, Frank Chikufenji, Hadji Wali, Precious Sambani.

Midfielders: John Banda, Chimwemwe Idana, Yamikani Chester, Schumacher Kuwali, Micium Mhone, Chikoti Chirwa, Chawanangwa Gumbo, Patrick Banda, Peter Banda, Mwakanyango Balikinho, Loyd Njaliwa.

Attackers: Khuda Myaba, Stain Dave, Anthony Mfune, Chawanangwa Kaonga, Gaddie Chirwa, Chiukepo Msowoya, Trouble Kajani.