2026 WCQ: Huge blow for Malawi as Gabadinho Mhango to miss Tunisia clash
- Dennis Kegengo
- Mar 21
- 2 min read
Photo Credit - Football Association of Malawi.
After suffering a 1-0 defeat against Namibia, Malawi have departed for Tunis via South Africa for their matchday six fixture of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Tunisia minus striker Gabadinho Mhango, who plays for South African club Marumo Gallants.
Mhango alongside defender Charles Petro have been ruled out of the must-win fixture due to respective injuries. A statement from Malawi Football Association stated: “The Flames have departed Lilongwe this morning (Friday), for Tunisia via Johannesburg, South Africa, ahead of Monday’s FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Tunisia.
“South Africa-based striker Gabadinho Mhango and defender Charles Petro have been ruled out due to injuries.”
The news will be a huge blow to the Flames, who will be keen to revive their qualification hopes after the shock defeat against the Brave Warriors at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, on Thursday.
A win could have moved the Kalisto Pasuwa side to second position in Group H within four points of leaders Tunisia but the defeat left them fourth and seven points behind the North Africans. Prins Menelik Tjiueza’s 40th minute striker was the difference, while Malawi’s failed to utilise their chances in the latter stages of the match.
Despite the gap between the Flames and group leaders, Pasuwa remained optimistic of qualifying to the FIFA World Cup. “We can’t say everything is gone,” said Pasuwa when commenting on Flames chances to qualify after the Namibia defeat.
The fixture against the flying Carthage Eagles will be played at Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi on Tuesday, March 25.
Here is the full traveling squad:
Goalkeepers; William Thole (Simba Bhora Fc), George Chikooka (Silver Strikers), Richard Chimbamba (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets).
Defenders; McDonald Lameck (Silver Strikers), Alick Lungu (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Nickson Mwase (Silver Strikers), Gomegzani Chirwa (Ngezi Platinum Stars), Nickson Nyasulu (Fc Platinum), Maxwell Paipi (Silver Strikers), Dennis Chembezi (Al Qasim SC), Precious Sambani (Silver Strikers).
Midfielders; Yankho Singo (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), John Banda (unattached), Patrick Mwaungulu (Don Bosco), Lloyd Aaron (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Lanjesi Nkhoma (Don Bosco), Lloyd Njaliwa (Costa Do Sol), Wisdom Mpinganjira (Mighty Wanderers), Zebron Kalima (Silver Strikers), Gaddie Chirwa (Mighty Wanderers).
Strikers; Richard Mbulu (Ud Songo), Chawanangwa Kaonga (Zanaco), Ephraim Kondowe (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets).
