Kinnah wants Gabadinho to skip exams

Flames coach Kinnah Phiri wants Big Bullets red-hot forward Gabadinho Mhango to skip examinations to join the squad which is preparing for the Cecafa Tusker Senior Challenge Cup, The Nation has learnt.

But Gabadinho has bought none of that as he insists he wants to sit for his form two terminal test at Chimwankhunda Secondary School.

Kinnah on Thursday said the examination was not important and he expected the player to join the squad as soon as possible.

“From what I have gathered, the examination he is referring to is not national.

“Simayeso yeni-yeni iyayi, kaya ndi a weekly, kaya ndi a mock kaya [It is not national examinations, I am not sure whether it is weekly or mock examination], but I expect him to come and join the squad,” said Kinnah.

But Gabadinho put his foot down Thursday, insisting he has to sit for the exams and would not join the Flames in camp.

“For the time being, I need to concentrate on my studies as I am about to sit for terminal examinations. Ndikupanga kaye za school panopa [I am busy with my studies at the moment],” said Gabadinho.

Kinnah hinted on the possibility of replacing Gabadinho with another striker should he stick to his guns.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu has said he is happy with Gabadinho’s decision.

“I am particularly happy that ‘Gaba’ is now taking his education seriously. It is just unfortunate that the timing is not ideal for him to join the squad ahead of the Cecafa tournament,” said Nyamilandu.

He appealed to coaches at both national and club level to understand Gabadinho’s situation.

In a related development, the Flames coaching panel is reported to have sent back Silver Strikers winger Peter Pindani because of his disciplinary case at the club.

Pindani has since been replaced by Innocent Bokosi.