Malawi striker Frank Gabadinho Mhango is bracing himself for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier double-header against Cameroon as an opportunity to stay in shape.
Mhango has has made just one appearance for Bidvest Wits this season, but his struggle for club form has not discouraged Malawi’s Belgian coach Ronny Van Geneugden from calling him to the national team.
“For me, being in the national team squad is very important as it gives me an opportunity for game time as you are aware that I am not playing at my club,” Mhango told Malawian publication The Nation.
The Wits striker is arguably the most high-profile player in Geneugden’s squad. The rest of the team has been hit by injuries to key players.
The biggest casualty is captain and Golden Arrows defender Limbikani Mzava who could not make the trip to Yaoundé with a knee problem.
He has been replaced by Nyasa Big Bullets’ Yamikani Fodya. Also out of the Cameroon match is Mhango’s Wits teammate Gerald Phiri who is injured as well.
Veteran midfielder Robert Ng’ambi is another injury absentee. After starting their campaign with a 1-0 win over Comoros at home, Malawi went on to lose 3-0 away in Morocco in their second match, to leave them on third spot in Group B.
They face Cameroon again in the return fixture in Blantyre on Tuesday.
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