Malawi national football team, widely known by its moniker, The Flames, has announced its squad for the 7th and 8th matchdays of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Flames Head Coach Kalisto Pasuwa has named a 26-man squad for Malawi’s upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Namibia and Liberia on 5 and 8 September.
With just a few days to go before these crucial fixtures, Kalisto Pasuwa has unveiled his squad selection.
“I believe we have picked the best of the crop. I am sure the boys will give it their best and I hope we will do better,” said the Flames gaffer, Pasuwa.
The Flames are scheduled to play Namibia on 5th September 2025 in Francistown, Botswana, before returning home to host Liberia at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe three days later.
Malawi have brought in six changes to their squad for the September FIFA World Cup qualifiers after they lost their last two Group H qualifiers to Namibia and Tunisia in March.
Pasuwa has put his trust in the 26 players for the clashes against Namibia and Liberia, which will see Malawi travel to Francistown, Botswana to face the Brave Warriors on Friday, September 5, and then host Liberia in Blantyre on Monday, September 8.
Among the goalkeepers, Joshua Waka replaces Richard Chimbamba, while Washall Jaziya and Emmanuel Nyirenda come in for the Silver Strikers pair Nickson Mwase and Precious Sambani.
Zambian-based midfielder Robert Saizi returns to the squad for the first time since last October, as John Banda, Gaddie Chirwa, Chawanagwa Gumbo, Zebron Kalima, and Wongani Lungu are all dropped.
The squad includes 16 foreign-based players, among them American based forwards, Mayele Malango of Monterey Bay FC (USA), who has earned his maiden call-up and American-based striker and former Premier League outfit, Leeds United reserve centre-forward Henry Kuwenda, who is still at college and both have been picked to replace Binwell Katinji and Ephraim Kondowe.
Malawi have won two and lost four of their six group games and sit in fifth place in the standings, 10 points behind leaders Tunisia.
Also making the list are Mozambique-based forwards Richard Mbulu and Lloyd Njaliwa, Zambia-based striker Chawanangwa Kaonga, and midfielder Robert Saizi.
The Flames will regroup in Lilongwe on Thursday, 28th August 2025, to begin preparations for the two crucial fixtures.
Full Squad:
GOALKEEPERS
William Thole (Simba Bhora), George Chikooka (Silver Strikers) Joshua Waka (Ekhaya Fc)
DEFENDERS
Nickson Nyasulu (Fc Platinum), Dennis Chembezi (Al Qasim Fc) Maxwell Paipi (Silver Strikers Fc) Emmanuel Nyirenda (Mighty Wanderers Fc) Charles Petro (Botosani Fc) Gomegzani Chirwa (Ngezi Platinum) Mcdonald Lameck (Silver Strikers) Alick Lungu (Ekhaya) Washali Jaziya (Nankatsu Sc)
MIDFIELDERS
Yankho Singo (Fcb Nyasa Big Bullets Fc) Blessings Singini (Mighty Wanderers Fc) Lloyd Aaron (Muaither Sc) Lloyd Njaliwa (Costa Do Sol) Robert Saizi (Zanaco)
STRIKERS
Frank Gabadinho Mhango (Richards Bay) Richard Mbulu (Costa Do Sol) Mayele Malango (Monterey Bay Fc) Patrick Mwaungulu (Tp Mazembe) Chikumbutso Salima (Fcb Nyasa Big Bullets) Lanjesi Nkhoma (Tp Mazembe) Chawanangwa Kaonga (Zanaco Fc) Wisdom Mpinganjira (Mighty Wanderers Fc) Henry Kumwenda (Butler Men’s Soccer)
Malawi sits 5th in Group H, with 6 points. Their upcoming opponents are Namibia, currently 2nd with 12 points, and Liberia, who are 3rd with 10 points.
“I believe we have picked the best of the crop.”
Kalisto Pasuwa
Flames Head Coach
