Waka, Mwalilino earn first Flames senior call-up ahead of independence day friendly

Two rising stars, goalkeeper Joshua Waka and striker Blessings Mwalilino, have earned their first-ever senior national team call-ups as Malawi’s Flames prepare to face Botswana in a high-profile international friendly match on Sunday, July 6.

The fixture, set to take place at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, is part of Malawi’s 61st Independence Day celebrations.

The pair’s inclusion is among the notable highlights in the 25-man squad released by Flames head coach Kalisto Pasuwa, who has retained 17 players from the team that participated in last month’s Hollywoodbets COSAFA Cup.

Waka, who plays for Blue Eagles, and Mwalilino, a promising forward from Mighty Wanderers, are being rewarded for their recent standout performances at club level.

Their debut call-ups underscore the Flames’ ongoing focus on nurturing emerging talent and injecting fresh energy into the national setup.

Also retained is FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves midfielder Oscar Petro, who impressed during his debut at the COSAFA Cup against Angola.

The Flames are expected to regroup in Lilongwe on Thursday, July 3, to begin their final preparations for the friendly, which is expected to draw a patriotic crowd as part of the nation’s independence festivities.

Full Flames Squad to Face Botswana:

Goalkeepers

Joshua Waka (Blue Eagles)

George Chikooka (Silver Strikers)

Richard Chimbamba (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets)

Defenders

Mark Lameck (Silver Strikers)

Maxwell Paipi (Silver Strikers)

Emmanuel Nyirenda (Mighty Wanderers)

Blessings Mpokera (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets)

Timothy Silwimba (Mighty Wanderers)

Nickson Mwase (Silver Strikers)

Alick Lungu (Ekhaya)

Midfielders

Lloyd Aaron (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets)

Chawanangwa Gumbo (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets)

Wongani Lungu (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets)

Charles Nkhoma (Moyale Barracks)

Frank Willard (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets)

Blessings Singini (Mighty Wanderers)

Oscar Petro (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserve)

Moses Banda (Civil Service United)

Forwards

Olson Kanjira (Kamuzu Barracks)

Wisdom Mpinganjira (Mighty Wanderers)

Gaddie Chirwa (Mighty Wanderers)

Promise Kamwendo (Mighty Wanderers)

Chikumbutso Salima (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets)

Binwell Katinji (Silver Strikers)

Blessings Mwalilino (Mighty Wanderers)