Malawi National Football Team teenage forward Mwisho Mhango on Wednesday made his first-team debut for Hannover 96 in the Germany 2. Bundesliga match against  FC Kaiserslautern.

The 19-year-old Flames attacker came on as a substitute to repace Emir Sahit in the 80th minute, but could not save the second-tier side from a 2-0 defeat.

Mhango joined Hannover 96 on September 27 2025 from Ascent Soccer Academy of Lilongwe on a five-year contract .

His move to Germany followed an outstanding performance at the 2025 Cosafa Under-20 Championship where he scored five goals to win the Golden Boot and Player of the Tournament awards as Malawi reached the semi-finals.

However, Mhango underwent an integration programme at the club’s academy, living in the boarding school while training with the professional squad.

Ascent Soccer Academy founder George Maguire in an interview yesterday described the moment as historic for the young forward, who developed at the Lilongwe-based full-time residential football programme before earning the move to Germany.

“It’s very rewarding to see Mwisho in the first team. I am happy for him,” he said.

Football analyst Twaha Chimwaka said the player’s progress to the first team is another step in a career that has already seen him rise through Malawi’s youth national teams.

Mhango was first called up to the Malawi Under-17 national team at the age of 14 before establishing himself as an important player for the Under-20 side.

He made his Malawi senior national team debut on March 28 2026 starting in a goalless draw against Zambia at the Four Nations Football Tournament.

He was also part of the Flames squad for the 2027 CAF Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against South Sudan and Angola last month.

Malawi defeated South Sudan 2-1 and lost 3-1to Angola.