Flames striker Frank Gabadinho Mhango has hinted at his exit at South Africa Premier Soccer League (PSL) outfit Bidvest Wits where he has been reduced to a sideshow.
In an interview after joining Malawi national football team in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia en route to Cameroon for the 2019 African Cup of Nations (Afcon) Group B qualifier against Indomitable Lions this Friday, the striker says he was on his way out, but could not specify his destination.
“I am just waiting for my chance to come so I will just take it from there. There is some opportunity that I might go somewhere. I think I am moving soon,” he said.
The former Nyasa Big Bullets player, who was not even on the substitutes list in his club’s 1-1 draw against Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday, said he would use the Afcon qualifiers to keep in shape.
“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,” he said.
On Malawi’s chances in the back-to-back Afcon qualifiers against the reigning African champions, Mhango said Malawi’s should utilise the element of surprise since Cameroon has no idea about Malawi’s style of play.
“We are at an advantage because we know them, we watch them, but they don’t know us. For me I will just go there and fight for my country. I don’t fear any team,” he said.
Meanwhile, Flames coach Ronny Van Geneugden (RVG) says a good result in Cameroon is essential to attract huge support for the national team in the second leg to be played at Kamuzu Stadium on October 16.
“A good result—at least a draw or a win in Cameroon—can make people welcome us in the second leg at Kamuzu Stadium. We have a strategy that we want to play strict compact organisation. Playing a passing game but also from good transition and show efficiency in the 18-yard area, especially defensively but also offensively. We have to score the chances that we get. Then we will see how the players will recover from that game,” he said.
The coach now has a full squad after welcoming the foreign-based players.
“The professional players are very excited [about the game], I saw the fire in their eyes and that’s very important because they are happy to be with the national team. They come with a lot of patriotism I am sure and you can see that they want a good result,” he said. n
