Marumo Gallants star Gabadinho Mhango’s opening goal put Malawi’s Flames on the path to their first win of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers after thrashing Burkina Faso 3-0 on Monday afternoon.
Mhango opened the scoring in the 28th minute before former Baroka FC forward Richard Mbulu and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets midfielder Lloyd Aaron struck in the 58th and 62nd minutes at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
The win restored the pride of the Flames who finished the Group L qualifiers bottom on four points. The Stallions already secured their qualification to the Afcon finals with 10 points, alongside group leaders Senegal (13 points).
Mhango returned to the Flames squad after Kalisto Pasuwa was named an interim coach following the sacking of Kaizer Chiefs legend Patrick Mabedi who had sidelined the Gallants star from the opening four games of the group.
Pasuwa recalled the ex-Orlando Pirates star to the Flames starting line-up on Friday when they drew 0-0 against Burundi in Ivory Coast in the Group L game.
The former Moroka Swallows star finally repaid the Zimbabwean interim coach’s faith with a wonderful goal, receiving a low pass from Patrick Mwaungulu and turning to fire the ball past Burkina Faso goalkeeper Traore Soufiane Oudraogo.
Malawi led 1-0 in what was their second clean sheet of the qualifiers.
Seven minutes after restart, Mbulu added the second goal with a powerful header from Aaron’s cross from the right before the provider turned scorer when he dispossessed Burkina Faso defender in the box before slotting it into the net.
Burkina Faso tried to come back into the game. However, Romania-based Charles Petro stood firm at the back for Malawi who were without suspended skipper and midfielder John Banda, defenders Chembezi Denis and MacDonald Lameck.
Senegal
