Malawi national football team popularly known as Flames head Coach Kalisto pasuwa has named a 25-member squad for the 2025 Hollywoodbets Cosafa Cup scheduled between June 4–15 in Mangaung, South Africa.
Pasuwa has included enterprising U20 Captain Washali Jaziya who is based in Japan, uncapped Karonga United exciting forward Allen Chihana and FCB Nyasa Bullets Reserves mesmerising midfielder Oscar Petro, in the squad which is dominated by players from the team that took part on the CHAN qualifiers.
The Flames coach said: “We have picked the players based on merit. Each player has earned call up based on their performances and we believe we have a good team to compete.”
“Our boys are really doing well and we are optimistic that they will give their all. We will give our best to win it.”
Pasuwa has left out most regulars to give an opportunity to upcoming players to prove themselves ahead of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in September.
Malawi will start the 2025 Hollywoodbets Cosafa Cup campaign with Lesotho on 5th June before facing Namibia 3 days later.
Flames will wrap up their group stage matches with a clash against Angola on June 10.
The team will regroup at Mpira Village in Blantyre this weekend and is expected to leave for South Africa on Tuesday.
Below is the full squad:
GOALKEEPERS
Richard Chimbamba (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), George Chikooka (Silver Strikers) Lucky Tizola (Mighty Tigers FC)
DEFENDERS
Mark Lameck (Silver Strikers), Maxwell Paipi (Silver Strikers), Fanizo Mwansambo (Ekhaya FC), Emmanuel Nyirenda (Mighty Wanderers), Andrew Jovinala (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Blessings Mpokera (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Washali Jaziya (Nankatsu SC Tokyo, Japan), Timothy Silwimba (Mighty Wanderers)
MIDFIELDERS
Yakho Singo (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Chawanangwa Gumbo (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Wongani Lungu (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Charles Nkhoma (Moyale Barracks), Zebron Kalima (Silver Strikers), Blessings Singini (Mighty Wanderers), Oscar Petro (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserve)
FORWARDS
Zeliati Nkhoma (Kamuzu Barracks), Olson Kanjira (Kamuzu Barracks) Wisdom Mpinganjira (Mighty Wanderers), Gaddie Chirwa (Mighty Wanderers), Promise Kamwendo (Mighty Wanderers), Chikumbutso Salima (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Allen Chihana (Karonga United.
The HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA Cup 2025 will be staged in Mangaung | Bloemfontein from June 4-15, where the battle for the title of regional kings will be fought once more.
This will be the third year of a new format, but many of the regulations from past competitions remain in place. Here is a quick run-down of the major criteria you need to remember.
SQUAD SIZE
Coaches will be able to select a preliminary squad of 30 players, which must be cut down to 23 for the final tournament. Teams may also bring seven officials, including coaches, medical personnel, etc
COACHING CREDENTIALS
In line with CAF requirements, all head coaches at the tournament must have a minimum of a CAF Pro, A or B coaching license. Assistant coaches can have a Pro, A, B or C license. The equivalent qualifications from other confederations are accepted.
Should coaches not have the above, they will not be allowed to sit on the bench during matches.
FORMAT
The 14 competing teams have been drawn into four groups – two pools with four teams and two with three sides. The group winners advance to the semifinals.
The winner of Group B will take on the winner of Group C, with the top team in Group A to meet the winner of Group D.
DECIDING GROUP PLACES
Should two or more teams finish on the same number of points in the pool phase, they will be separated by the result of their head-to-head meetings in the first instance.
If this does not provide a conclusion, the next criteria will be goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams concerned and then greater number of goals scored in all the group matches between the teams concerned.
If there is still no clear winner, then goal-difference in all group matches and finally a Fair Play points system in which the number of yellow and red cards are evaluated. Failing that there will be the drawing of lots.
“We have picked the players based on merit.”
Callisto Pasuwa
Flames head coach
