PSL star Gabadinho out of Malawi’s World Cup qualifier

Malawi football team has suffered a blow ahead of Thursday’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Equatorial Guinea in Lilongwe.

The Flames’ skipper Gabadinho Mhango has been ruled out of the Group H match. The South Africa’s Premier Soccer League (PSL) star accumulated two yellow cards in the recent qualifying matches, hence suspended for the forthcoming game.

The Nation newspaper quoted the Football Association of Malawi spokesperson Gomezgani Zakazaka as having confirmed the former Orlando Pirates forward’s unavailability.

Zakazaka said: “Gaba is of Thursday’s match, but he will be available for selection in the next match against São Tomé Príncipe.”

Mhango is Malawi football poster boy and the main source of goals for the Flames, who are out of the World Cup qualification race. The former Orlando Pirates forward scored in back-to-back games when Malawi beat Namibia 2-1 and in the two-all draw with Liberia.

The 33-year-old, a one-time PSL Golden Boot Award winner, picked a yellow card last match during the match against the Brave Warriors in Botswana then at home against Liberia.

What options are there for coach Pasuwa in Gabadinho’s absence?

The only consolation is that the Gabadinho will be available for selection in the Flames’ away fixture against São Tomé Príncipe in Tunisia four days later. Coach Kalisto Pasuwa now has a semblance of depth and quality in attack. Gabadinho’s striker partner, Richard Mbulu is available and so are Chawanangwa Kaonga, newly drafted Mayele Malango and Babatunde Adepoju.

Nigerian striker Adepoju has finally been granted his wish to play for the national football team of his adopted country, Malawi, joining Congolese-born Mayele.

⚽ Follow Pan-Africa Football across platforms for real-time news and stories.