Richard Mbulu

Richard Mbulu (born 25 January 1994) is a Malawian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Iraqi side Al-Najaf SC. He was included in Malawi's squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.[2]

Richard Mbulu
Personal information
Date of birth (1994-01-25) 25 January 1994
Place of birth Mangochi, Malawi
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[1]
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Al-Najaf SC
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2016 Malawi Armed Forces College
2017–2018 Costa do Sol 26 (5)
2018 A.D. Sanjoanense 4 (0)
2018–2019 Costa do Sol 20 (2)
2019–2022 Baroka 70 (9)
2022– Al-Najaf SC
International career‡
2017– Malawi 24 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11 October 2022
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 28 October 2020

Early life

Mbulu was born in Mangochi, Malawi.[1]

Club career

Having started his career at Malawi Armed Forces College following his enlistment in the armed forces,[3] he joined Mozambican side Costa do Sol in December 2016.[4] He later moved to Portuguese side A.D. Sanjoanense before returning to Costa do Sol in the summer of 2018.[5] In the summer of 2019, Mbulu signed for South African side Baroka on a three-year deal.[6]

International career

He was called up to the Malawi national football team for the first time in January 2017,[7] and made his debut for them on 10 June 2017 in a 1–0 win against Comoros.[1] He scored his first goal for Malawi on 4 September 2017 in a 1–0 win against Togo.[8] He scored the only goal of a 1–0 win against Uganda which allowed Malawi to qualify for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.[9]

Personal life

When Mbulu left school, he became a soldier but later decided to pursue a career in football. His father was also a footballer and a soldier.[3][10]

References
  1. "Richard Mbulu". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  2. "Afcon 2021: Mauritania include 16-year-old Beyatt Lekweiry in squad". BBC Sport. 31 December 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  3. Said, Nick (27 May 2019). "Dream comes true for new Baroka striker". The Times. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  4. "Costa do Sol volta a atacar o mercado!". costadosol.co.mz (in Portuguese). CD Costa do Sol. 6 December 2016. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  5. "Mbulu pode estrear-se frente ao Textáfrica". costadosol.co.mz (in Portuguese). CD Costa do Sol. 15 June 2018. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  6. Ditlhobolo, Austin (24 May 2019). "Baroka snap up Malawian striker Richard Mbulu". Goal. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  7. Mughogho, Lyonike (11 January 2017). "Chiukepo dropped as Mbulu earns first Flames call up". malawi24. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  8. Chilapondwa, Andrew Cane (4 September 2017). "Mbulu on target as RVG registers second Flames win". malawi24. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  9. "Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers 2021: Richard Mbulu goal sees Malawi beat Uganda to seal qualification". Firstpost. 29 March 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  10. Motshwane, Gomolemo (1 April 2020). "'Sometimes army has to be harsh' - soldier and Baroka FC striker Richard Mbulu weighs in on Covid-19". The Sowetan. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
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