World Cup Qualifying: Mbulu, Gabadinho lead Malawi past Namibia

Strikers Richard Mbulu and Gabadinho Mhango scored for Malawi to snap a five-game winless run and defeat Namibia 2-0 in a 2026 World Cup qualifier in Botswana on Friday.

Following the exclusion of John Banda, Mhango took over the armband in this Group H match played at a neutral Obed Ithani Chilume, Francistown Stadium where Deon Hotto and Peter Shalulile led Namibia’s attack.

It took just five minutes for the Flames to go ahead through Mozambique-based Mbulu, who capitalized on a defensive lapse.

Malawi held on to their lead until the break, but not before they suffered a setback after Hotto’s tackle injured Malawi keeper William Thole. George Chikooka stepped in his place leaving Malawi with no other keeper on the bench.

The Flames started the second half looking comfortable and seeking to play on the break. This strategy worked as Mhango increased the lead with an absolute stunner.

The Richards Bay FC man picked the ball close to the centre circle, saw Namibia keeper Edward Maova, off his line before sending a long shot dipping into the deserted net in the 53^rd minute.

The second-placed Namibia scored a face-saver through substitute David Ndeunyema’s goal six minutes to full time for Collin Benjamin’s men to remain seven points behind leaders Tunisia. The next game for the Brave Warriors is against São Tomé and Príncipe on Tuesday.

The victory saw Malawi bouncing back from two consecutive 1-0 and 2-0 losses to Namibia and Tunisia in the group, and in five consecutive matches in all competitions.

The Flames remain in fifth place, 10 points behind Tunisia and without hope of qualifying for the World Cup finals. The next match for Malawi is against Liberia on Tuesday in Lilongwe.

Group H Table (7 matches played)

1. Tunisia- 19 points
2. Namibia- 12 points
3. Liberia- 10 points
4. Equatorial Guinea- 10 points
5. Malawi- 9 points
6. São Tomé and Príncipe- 0 points

Starting line-ups:

Namibia:   Edward Maova, Sergio Damaseb, Ivan Kamberipa, Kennedy Eib, Riaan Hanamub, Katua, Aprocious Petrus, Charles Hambira, Joslin Kamatuka, Deon Hotto, Peter Shalulile

Malawi: William Thole, McDonald Lameck, Alick Lungu, Charles Petro, Dennis Chembezi, Yankho Singo, Lloyd Njaliwa, Robert Saizi, Wisdom Mpinganjira, Gabadinho Mhango, Richard Mbulu