In Malawi, there are fresh calls for Gabadinho Mhango to be recalled in the Flames squad as the Flames start the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier games next week.
Flames coach Patrick Mabedi is expected to name the Flames squad for the qualifiers today.
Malawi will host Burundi on September 5 at Bingu National Stadium in the capital Lilongwe before an away match to Burkina Faso on September 9.
Former Malawi players have advised Mabedi to settle for players who can help the country qualify for Afcon.
Priority should now be given to acquiring players who can produce results, according to Chiukepo Msowoya, who helped the Flames qualify for the 2010 Afcon after scoring crucial goals against Guinea and Burkina Faso.
“We need results, Afcon is a demanding competition, if you do not win games, then forget of qualification. We need to qualify, we are not building the team, but getting results that will make Malawians happy,” he said.
Asked what kind of strikers Mabedi should select, Msowoya said Malawi has problems when it comes to striking force, but he said Mabedi should not make the mistake of dropping Mhango again this time.
“Our striking force needs Gaba, dropping him again will be bad, experience matters no matter how you hate someone. We do not have that kind of player like Gaba,” said Msowoya.
Msuku also shares his thoughts
Another former Flames player, Sherry Msuku, says he is not expecting many surprises because the coach has his trusted players, and he is expected to see the inclusion of Gaba and a few players who are doing well in the domestic league.
“I can see Nickson Nyasulu [FCB Nyasa Big Bullets defender] who has done well but the rest we are the usual squad,” he said.
Before the World Cup qualifiers in June this year, Mabedi dropped Gaba before the Sao Tome and Principe game, claiming the player was talented but had trouble adjusting to his new structure.
The coach continued, saying that since the competition was not meant to test players, he did not wish to include him.
Mhango is the current top scorer for the Flames with 16 goals.
