Malawi national team, popularly known as The Flames, head coach Coach, Patrick Mabedi, has named a 28-man squad in readness for the forthcoming ahead AFCON 2025 qualifiers against Burundi and Burkina Faso.
The 50 year-old Flames gaffer says he has taken a bold decision to drop some key players due to injuries.
Speaking in a press conference, Mabedi said: “We had to leave out some players like Richard Mbulu, Alick Lungu, Tatemda M’balaka, Chrispine Mapemba and Chikumbutso Salima due to injuries, which is setback but we have replaced them with other players and we have to move forward.”
However, the coach, who is the Flames captain and defender, said despite of the different challenges he remains optimistic and hopeful about the team’s chances of getting results in the upcoming two matches.
“The first match is always difficult, but we’re ready to carry the victory.” We will explore other strategies to overcome our opponents,” said Mabedi.
According to the Football Association of Malawi(FAM) Malawi will host Burundi on September 5th at the Bingu Natioal Stadium before facing Burkina Faso away five days later.
Here is full Squad:
Goalkeepers
Innocent Nyasulu (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), George Chikooka (Silver Strikers) and Brighton Munthali (Blue Eagles)
Defenders
Mark Lameck, Nickson Mwase, Maxwell Paipi (Silver Strikers), Stanley Sanudi, Lawrence Chaziya (Mighty Mukuru Wanderers), Gomezgani Chirwa, Nickson Nyasulu, Precious Sambani (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Chembezi Denis (Al Qasim SC-Iraq)
Midfielders
Liyod Aaron, Wongani Lungu (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Wisdom Mpinganjira (Mighty Mukuru Wanderers¬), Chimwemwe Idana , Uchizi Vunga, Patrick Macheso, Chikondi Kamanga (Silver Strikers), Lanjesi Nkhoma, Patrick Mwaungulu (TP Mazembe-DRC), John Banda UD Songo-Mozambique), Yamikani Chester (Costa do sol-Mozambique), Robert Saizi (Zanaco-Zambia)
Strikers
Zeliat Nkhoma (Kamuzu Barracks), Gaddie Chirwa (Mighty Mukuru Wanderers), Chawanangwa Kaonga (Zanaco-Zambia), Chifundo Mphasi (Power Dynamos-Zambia.
“The first match is always difficult, but we’re ready to carry the victory.”
Patrick Mabedi Malawi
National team Head Coach
