Malawi senior national football team coach Kalisto Pasuwa has sidelined in-form striker Binwell Katinji and the Malawian top flight's Player of the Year, Isaac Kaliyati, after naming his 28-man squad for the forthcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Namibia and Tunisia.
Pasuwa released his squad on Tuesday when he ignored Katinji, whose two goals in two games against Comoros helped the Flames advance to the African Nations Championship (CHAN) final qualifying round.
The Zimbabwean has also left out 2024 TNM Super League Player of the Year Isaac Kaliyati yet recalled left-back Precious Sambani even though he has not played competitive football for a long time.
Malawi host Namibia in Lilongwe at Bingu National Stadium on Thursday, March 20 before facing Tunisia at Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi on Monday March 24.
2026 World Cup Qualifying: Group H table (4 matches played)
Points | |
Tunisia | 10 |
Namibia | 8 |
Liberia | 7 |
Malawi | 6 |
Equatorial Guinea | 3 |
São Tomé and Príncipe | 0 |
The group winner qualifies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Four of the nine group runners-up qualify for a playoff to determine Africa's representative at the intercontinental qualifying playoff.
Pasuwa’s squad comprises 11 foreign-based players such as goalkeeper William Thole of Zimbabwe league champions Simba Bhora FC alongside FC Platinum defenders Gomezgani Chirwa and Nickson Nyasulu.
Mozambique-based duo of Richard Mbulu and Lloyd Njaliwa, along with South Africa-based striker Gabadinho Mhango, have also been included according to Football Association of Malawi statement.
The squad also comprises defender Denis Chembezi of Iraq’s Al-Qasim SC, Romania-based defender Charles Petro, DRC-based Lanjesi Nkhoma and Patrick Mwaungulu as well as Zambian club Zanaco FC's striker Chawanangwa Kaonga.
The Flames will regroup in Lilongwe on Thursday 13 March 2025.
The following is the full squad:
Goalkeepers
William Thole (Simba Bhora FC, Zimbabwe), George Chikooka (Silver Strikers), Richard Chimbamba (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets).
Defenders
McDonald Lameck (Silver Strikers), Alick Lungu (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Charles Petro (Botosani, Romania), Nickson Mwase (Silver Strikers), Gomegzani Chirwa (Ngezi Platinum Stars, South Africa), Nickson Nyasulu (FC Platinum, Zimbabwe), Maxwell Paipi (Silver Strikers), Dennis Chembezi (Al Qasim SC, Iraq), Precious Sambani (Silver Strikers).
Midfielders
Yankho Singo (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), John Banda (unattached), Patrick Mwaungulu (Don Bosco, DR Congo), Lloyd Aaron (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Lanjesi Nkhoma (Don Bosco, DR Congo), Lloyd Njaliwa (Costa Do Sol, Mozambique), Wisdom Mpinganjira (Mighty Wanderers), Zebron Kalima (Silver Strikers), Gaddie Chirwa (Mighty Wanderers), Chawanagwa Gumbo (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Chikumbutso Salima (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Wongani Lungu (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets).
Strikers
Frank Gabadinho Mhango (Marumo Gallants, South Africa), Richard Mbulu (UD Songo, Mozambique), Chawanangwa Kaonga (Zanaco, Zambia), Ephraim Kondowe (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets).
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