Gabadinho (kit number 11) and Myaba (22) are not in the latest Malawi National Football Team squad
Malawi National Football Team interim head coach Patrick Mabedi has named his final 23-man squad for next week’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia in Mozambique.
The Flames, who are third in Group D with three points from four games, are not favorites to qualify but they will be looking forward to getting a win before hosting Guinea in the final match at Bingu National Stadium.
Mabedi has recalled striker Richard Mbulu, who fell out of favor with Marian Mario Marinica after the two exchanged words during the 2021 Afcon finals in Cameroon where the team reached the round of 16 for the first time.
Striker Khuda Myaba is not part of the traveling squad due to lack of game time whilst Gabadinho Mhango is missing out of the list due to the injury he sustained at Amazulu FC.
The interim coach has also recalled striker Chawanangwa Kaonga, who is playing for Zambia’s Zanaco FC.
Mabedi has also included five new faces to his squad, namely goalkeeper Innocent Nyasulu, midfielders Robert Saizi, Patrick Macheso, Chikumbutso Salima, Lloyd Banega Aaron and striker Chifundo Mphasi.
Peter Banda, who got injured during Simba SC’ final league match last weekend, is also part of the squad.
Malawi’s only victory in the campaign was against next week’s opponents in the first leg that ended 2-1 courtesy of a brace from Mhango who scored from the spot at BNS.
They then registered a 1-0 loss away to Guinea before two back-to-back 2-0 and 4-0 defeats at the hands of log leaders Egypt in April.
According to Mabedi, he has included more youngsters as one way of preparing the team for the future.
“I have included more youngsters as one way of preparing the team for the future. These are the players who will take over, and it’s good that we have given them an opportunity to taste the feeling of international football,” he said.
The team will first play Mozambique this week in an international friendly match before facing Ethiopia.
Below is the full squad list:
GOALKEEPERS
Brighton Munthali
Innocent Nyasulu
DEFENDERS
Alick Lungu
Daniel Chimbalanga
Blessings Mpokera
Chembezi Denis
Lawrence Chaziya
Nickson Mwase
Stanley Sanudi
MIDFIELDERS
Chikoti Chirwa
Chimwemwe Idana
Dominic Lloyd Njaliwa
Lloyd Banega Aaron
Patrick Macheso
Chikumbutso Salima
Lanjesi Nkhoma
Peter Banda
Robert Saizi
Yamikani Chester
STRIKERS
Chawanangwa Kaonga
Chifundo Mphasi
Gaddie Chirwa
Richard Mbulu
