Orlando Pirates star Gabadinho Mhango has been ruled out of Malawi’s Africa Cup of Nations opener against Guinea on Monday.
Mhango is among six players that tested positive for Covid-19 in the Flames camp but Baroka forward Richard Mbulu has recovered in time to potentially replace him in the starting line-up.
Mbulu was left in Saudi Arabia to quarantine after their recent 10-day training camp but arrived in Cameroon on Sunday to offer head coach Mario Marinica a welcome boost.
“The Football Association of Malawi would like to announce that as per the Caf 2021 Afcon pre-match protocols the Flames players and officials underwent a Covid-19 PCR test on Saturday afternoon, 48 hours before the team’s opening match against Guinea on Monday,” the Malawi FA official website revealed in a statement.
“Unfortunately, six players and three technical staff tested positive and will miss the Monday match. The players are defenders Peter Cholopi, Lawrence Chaziya, Stanley Sanudi; midfielders Chikoti Chirwa and Robin Ngalande, and striker Gabadinho Mhango.
“The officials are Head of Technical Panel Mario Marinica, goalkeeper Trainer Swadick Sanudi, and Physiotherapist Chikondi Mandalasi. The nine are in isolation under the supervision of the team’s Covid-19 medical team led by Dr. Precious Kadzamira.”
Mhango has emerged as the nations’ attacking talisman with 12 goals in 55 caps since making his senior debut as a teenager under their all-time top scorer Kinnah Phiri back in 2012.
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