Malawi National Football Team Coach Kalisto Pasuwa has included 11 foreign country-based players in the squad for the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers.
The team is expected to face Namibia and Tunisia.
The Flames are scheduled to host Namibia’s Brave Warriors at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Thursday, March 20, before facing Tunisia at Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi four days later.
Pasuwa has picked Zimbabwe-based goalkeeper William Thole, defenders Nickson Nyasulu, Gomezgani Chirwa, South Africa-based striker Frank Gabadinho Mhango and the Mozambique-based duo of Richard Mbulu and Lloyd Njaliwa.
Iraq-based experienced defender Dennis Chembezi, Charles Petro (Botosani, Romania), the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)-based duo of Lanjesi Nkhoma, Patrick Mwaungulu and Zambia-based striker Chawanangwa Kaonga are also in the squad.
Captain John Banda, who recently parted ways with Mozambique side UD Songo, and experienced defender Precious Sambani have been included.
The Zimbabwean has also included defender Maxwell Paipi, Zebron Kalima, Ephraim Kondowe, Chawanangwa Gumbo, Wongani Lungu and Chikumbutso Salima, who were part of the African Nations Championship (Chan) squad last week.
But striker Binwell Katinji, who was outstanding after scoring two goals, has been left out.
There is also no place for defender Stanley Sanudi, midfielder Chimwemwe Idana and goalkeeper Brighton Munthali.
There was no immediate comment from Pasuwa as we went to press Tuesday.
Football Association of Malawi (Fam) announced Tuesday that the team was expected to regroup in Lilongwe Thursday ahead of the two matches.
Meanwhile, sports analyst Parry Chinyama has questioned the inclusion of some players in the squad.
“I am not a coach myself but some of the decisions are laughable. There is no Binwell [Katinji] in the squad—the top goal-scorer of last season is not even on the list. Pasuwa needs to explain why Isaac Kaliati has not been called,” Chinyama said.
The Flames will be hoping to build on their impressive performance in recent matches in both the African Cup of Nations (Afcon) and Chan qualifiers.
They are undefeated in four consecutive matches after beating Burkina Faso 3-0 and registering a goal-less draw with Burundi in the Afcon qualifiers.
They also registered 2-0 victories, in two matches, over Comoros in the Chan playoffs.
The Flames are third in the World Cup qualifiers with six points from four matches, four points behind leaders Tunisia and two points behind second-placed Namibia.
The full squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers
William Thole (Simba Bhora), George Chikooka (Silver Strikers), Richard Chimbamba (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets).
Defenders
McDonald Lameck (Silver Strikers), Alick Lungu (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Charles Petro (Botosani), Nickson Mwase (Silver Strikers), Gomezgani Chirwa (Ngezi Platinum Stars), Nickson Nyasulu (FC Platinum), Maxwell Paipi (Silver Strikers), Dennis Chembezi (Al Qasim SC), Precious Sambani (Silver Strikers).
Midfielders
Yankho Singo (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), John Banda (unattached), Patrick Mwaungulu (Don Bosco), Lloyd Aaron (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Lanjesi Nkhoma (Don Bosco), Lloyd Njaliwa (Costa Do Sol), Wisdom Mpinganjira (Mighty Wanderers), Zebron Kalima (Silver Strikers), Gaddie Chirwa (Mighty Wanderers), Chawanagwa Gumbo, Chikumbutso Salima, Wongani Lungu (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets).
Strikers
Frank G Mhango (Marumo Gallants), Richard Mbulu (UD Songo), Chawanangwa Kaonga (Zanaco), Ephraim Kondowe (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets).
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