2026 FIFAWC qualifiers: Congolese-born Mayele emotional after Malawi call-up

Congolese-born striker Mayele Malango has reacted to his Malawi senior national football team call-up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The America-based forward described his inclusion in the Flames’ squad as an honour to represent the country he calls home after fleeing the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1998.

“Representing Malawi on the international stage has always been a dream of mine, and I’m deeply honoured to be recognized by the Football Association of Malawi (FAM),” Monterey Bay FC forward wrote on his Facebook page.

Malango explained the emotional attachment he has with Malawi, saying he owes his childhood to the country.

“This country is more than just a home to me. Malawi gave my family and me a second chance at life after we fled the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 1998 due to war,” he added.

“We lost everything we had, but Malawi welcomed us with open arms and gave us the opportunity to rebuild from scratch. That act of kindness and generosity will forever be etched in my heart. Now, I get to wear its colours with pride. I’m beyond grateful and excited to represent this great nation. I can’t wait to get started.”

Mayele grew up at a refugee camp in Dowa District—some 80 kilometres from the capital city, Lilongwe—after fleeing the DRC in 1998. The inclusion of the forward is a major step towards integrating players with Malawi roots in the Diaspora into the Flames’ set up.

The Flames coach Kalisto Pasuwa named the 28-year-old in the 26-member squad to ease the pressure on the overburdened proven scorer Gabadinho Mhango.

The Flames hardly score if the Richards Bay FC’s star Gabadinho does not find the back of the net, especially against top opposition in competitions such as the World Cup.

Gabadinho and Mayele are expected to complement each other when Malawi face Namibia on September 5 2025 in Botswana before welcoming Liberia three days later in Lilongwe.

The Football Association of Malawi processed the paper work for Mayele and have also recalled America-based Henri Kumwenda, a former Leeds United under-23 striker.

Mayele is little known in African football, but like his more popular counterpart, Fiston Mayele, he was also born in Kinshasa before relocating to Malawi as a refugee.

The 10 years that the Congolese player spent at the camp ignited a stronger connection with Malawi. After all, he has never represented the DR Congo at any level. The striker plays for Bay FC in the second tier of American soccer.