‘’Malawi football is evil. Charms are used’’- Gabadinho claims

Malawi forward Gabadinho Mhango has made startling claims about the use of traditional charms, commonly known as juju, in Malawian football, saying some teams resort to supernatural practices in an attempt to gain an advantage over opponents.

Mhango alleged that the practice is not new in Malawi football and claimed that even some of the country’s biggest clubs have been associated with rituals involving charms.

According to Mhango, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets was at one point involved in an incident where players’ jerseys were allegedly covered with human discharges as part of what he described as football-related traditional practices.

The claims have reignited an old and often whispered-about debate in Malawian football over whether some clubs, players or supporters consult traditional practitioners before important matches.

Mhango did not present documentary evidence in the interview to independently verify the allegations, meaning his claims remain allegations attributed to him.

He described juju as part of the realities surrounding the game in Malawi, suggesting that some people believe supernatural intervention can influence the outcome of matches.

He rose to prominence with Big Bullets before moving to South Africa, where he played for several clubs including Bloemfontein Celtic, Golden Arrows, Bidvest Wits and Orlando Pirates. He has also been a long-serving Malawi international.

His allegations therefore bring a former player with first-hand experience of Malawian football into a conversation that has traditionally been dominated by rumours and stories from supporters.

One of the most striking parts of the interview was Mhango’s reference to Big Bullets.

He claimed that there was a time when Bullets jerseys were covered with faeces in connection with the use of charms.

The allegation is extraordinary and, if substantiated, would raise questions about the extent to which traditional beliefs and practices have penetrated football dressing rooms and club environments.

However, Malawi Data News has not independently established that the alleged incident occurred, and the claim should therefore be treated as an allegation made by Mhango rather than a confirmed fact.

Big Bullets, one of Malawi’s most successful and popular clubs, has not been established by the available reporting as having officially sanctioned such a practice.

The footballer also used the interview to address another controversial chapter in his career — rumours that he had been romantically involved with Anita Mabedi, the daughter of former Flames coach Patrick Mabedi.

Mhango denied that he dated Anita, rejecting the relationship allegations that circulated widely on social media.

The rumours became particularly prominent during a period when Mhango was left out of the Malawi national team under Mabedi.

In November 2023, reports and social-media discussions alleged that Mhango was involved with Mabedi’s daughter. Some media reports at the time referred to intimate material circulating online and linked the rumours to tensions surrounding Mhango’s relationship with the national-team coach. However, those reports themselves described the material and relationship as allegations rather than established fact.

The controversy subsequently became intertwined with questions over why one of Malawi’s most recognised strikers was being left out of the Flames.

The dispute came into sharper focus in 2024 when Mabedi excluded Mhango from the national team.

Mabedi publicly gave footballing reasons for the decision. He said the Flames needed to prepare for the future and eventually find replacements for Mhango, while also arguing that the striker had struggled to adapt to the team’s system.

Mabedi had also previously explained that Mhango’s omission from an earlier squad was partly related to the player’s lack of regular football and a recent injury after his move to Moroka Swallows.

Mhango, however, maintained that there was nothing personal between himself and Mabedi.

In March 2024, after returning to the Flames setup, Mhango said some issues surrounding his exclusion had been exaggerated, particularly on social media, and insisted that there was no personal problem between him and the coach.