Flames celebrate Gabeya birthday

Flames’ towering centre back Miracle Gabeya has described his goal against Mauritius as a perfect birthday celebration.

Gabeya headed home a Gerald Phiri Jnr corner kick, on a day he turned 20.

He got a deserved birthday gift in form of a man-of-the match accolade that included a trophy and $250 (about K178 750).

So excited was the player that he could not help but drop a tear in happiness.

“I am so happy of what I have achieved. It is a perfect way to celebrate my birthday,” Gabeya said.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) yesterday organised a small party for the player to celebrate his birthday.

“We knew he was celebrating his birthday on June 14. But it was impossible to organise a small party for him because we had a crucial game. That is why we are having this function today.

“We also did the same for Gerald [Phiri Jnr] who celebrated his birthday on June 8. When the players are far away from their home, we become their family; hence, we should be their for them on such occasions,” head of Malawi delegation Alfred Gunda, who is FAM executive member, said yesterday.

In a closely contested match, the Nyasa Big Bullets player’s goal made a huge difference.

With strikers Chiukepo Msowoya and Gabadinho Mhango tightly marked by Mauritius defence, Gabeya took the only clear chance for the Flames to keep the team’s chances of making it to the quarter-finals.

Malawi and Lesotho are tied at six points going into today’s  group decider. n

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