2026 World Cup Qualifying: Namibia’s Brave Warriors jet into Malawi for Thursday duel

Confident Namibia’s Brave Warriors arrived in Lilongwe on Monday ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Malawi on March 20.

Brave Warriors head coach Collin Benjamin has traveled with a 24-member squad including leading striker Peter Shalulile to face the Flames in the Group H game at Bingu National Stadium.

Orlando Pirates winger Deon Hotto is another recognizable face in the squad trimmed from a provisional 30-man list.

Earlier, Benjamin highlighted the importance of winning the two games starting with the Flames, who too have called a strong squad led by Marumo Gallants’ in-form striker Gabadinho Mhango.

“We are going to go all the way in the upcoming fixtures and the squad is a reflection of our desire to produce good results. The squad balances experience and youth, with key returns of a few players. It is essential that we have a successful outcome that will be a huge step into the next step,” he said. 

Malawi and Namibia have met fifteen times across all competitions with the Brave Warriors having an upper hand after winning seven games versus four for Kalisto Pasuwa’s side while four games ended in draws.

The Namibians, who host Equatorial Guinea in Polokwane, South Africa on March 24, face a tough challenge in Group H whose leaders are Tunisia.

Group H Table (4 matches played)

• 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.