Historic Call-Up for Malawian Star Babatunde Adepoju: A New Chapter in His Football Journey
Malawian football is abuzz with excitement as FCB Nyasa Big Bullets forward Babatunde Adepoju receives a historic first call-up to the Malawi National Football Team. The Nigerian-born striker, who officially acquired Malawian citizenship through naturalisation last month, is set to make his international debut in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Equatorial Guinea and São Tomé and Príncipe next month.
Adepoju's journey in Malawian football began in 2017 when he joined the now-disbanded Masters Security. His talent and dedication quickly caught the attention of local football fans, and he went on to play for Mighty Wanderers before crossing to the red side of Blantyre, signing for Bullets in 2021.
With Bullets, Adepoju has made an impressive 114 appearances, scoring a remarkable 67 goals and collecting seven major trophies as well as three Golden Boot awards across his two spells. His exploits on the field have earned him a move to Venda Football Club in South Africa at the end of the 2022 season, but he returned to The People's Team on loan last year, where he continues to lead the line.
This season, Adepoju has been in outstanding form, registering an impressive 15 goals and six assists in 23 games in all competitions. His impressive performances have not gone unnoticed, as he now joins fellow Bullets stars Yankho Singo and Chikumbutso Salima in Kalisto Pasuwa's Flames squad.
For Adepoju, this call-up is not just a personal milestone but also a proud moment for The People's Team. He now has the chance to carry his club form onto the international stage and make an impact for Malawi on the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
"It's my wish because Malawi as a nation has given me a lot. I'm a successful footballer in Malawi, so definitely I'd like to give back to the nation if an opportunity comes," Adepoju shared in a Maule Talks interview in July.
Adepoju's call-up is a significant moment not just for the player but also for Malawian football as a whole. It marks a new era for the sport in the country and offers a glimmer of hope for the future.
As Malawi prepares to host Equatorial Guinea on 9 October at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe before travelling to Tunis for the away clash against São Tomé and Príncipe on 13 October, Bullets fans and Malawian football enthusiasts alike are eagerly anticipating Adepoju's international debut. His journey from local hero to international star is a testament to the power of dedication, hard work, and the importance of citizenship and nationality in football.
Stay tuned for more updates on Babatunde Adepoju and the Malawi National Football Team as they embark on their journey towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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Summary: Malawian football star Babatunde Adepoju has made history by receiving his first call-up to the Malawi National Football Team. The Nigerian-born striker, who acquired Malawian citizenship through naturalization last month, has been in excellent form this season with FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, scoring 15 goals and providing six assists in 23 games. He joins fellow Bullets stars Yankho Singo and Chikumbutso Salima in the national team squad ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Equatorial Guinea and São Tomé and Príncipe. Babatunde's call-up is a proud moment for The People's Team and offers him the opportunity to carry his club form onto the international stage and make an impact for Malawi.
