Malawi's Flames Name Squad for FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, Including Mayele Malango's Maiden Call-Up
Head coach of the Malawi national football team, Kalisto Pasuwa, has announced a 26-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Namibia and Liberia. The squad includes 16 foreign-based players, with Mayele Malango of Monterey Bay FC (USA) earning his first call-up to the team.
The Flames will face Namibia on September 5, 2025, in Francistown, Botswana, and host Liberia at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on September 8, 2025. The squad will regroup in Lilongwe on August 28, 2025, to begin preparations for the two crucial fixtures.
Mayele Malango, a midfielder for Monterey Bay FC in the United States, is one of the most notable inclusions in the squad. Malango, who was born in Malawi but moved to the US at a young age, has impressed in the USL League One and has now been rewarded with a call-up to the national team.
Other foreign-based players in the squad include Mozambique-based forwards Richard Mbulu and Lloyd Njaliwa, Zambia-based striker Chawanangwa Kaonga, and midfielder Robert Saizi. USA-based forward Henry Kumwenda has also been included in the squad.
The squad consists of goalkeepers William Thole and George Chikooka, defenders Nickson Nyasulu, Dennis Chembezi, Maxwell Paipi, Emmanuel Nyirenda, Charles Petro, Gomegzani Chirwa, Mcdonald Lameck, Alick Lungu, Washali Jaziya, midfielders Yankho Singo, Blessings Singini, Lloyd Aaron, and forwards Frank Gabadinho Mhango, Richard Mbulu, and Chawanangwa Kaonga.
Malawi's chances in the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifiers are uncertain, but the team will be looking to build on their recent form. The Flames have won three of their last five international matches, including a 3-0 victory over Mozambique in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The team's strengths lie in their attacking prowess, with forwards Frank Gabadinho Mhango and Richard Mbulu in good form. However, the defense will need to be solid, with goalkeeper William Thole expected to be in top form to keep the opposition at bay.
The Flames' first match against Namibia will be a tough test, with the Brave Warriors having won their last three international matches. The return leg against Liberia will be a different challenge, with the Lone Stars having lost their last three matches.
The upcoming matches against Namibia and Liberia are crucial for Malawi's FIFA World Cup hopes, and a strong performance in these games could set the team up for a successful campaign in the qualifiers.
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Summary: Kalisto Pasuwa, the head coach of the Malawi national football team, has named a 26-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Namibia and Liberia. The squad includes 16 foreign-based players, with Mayele Malango of Monterey Bay FC making his maiden call-up. The team will regroup in Lilongwe on Thursday, August 28, to begin preparations for the two crucial fixtures. The squad consists of goalkeepers William Thole and George Chikooka, defenders Nickson Nyasulu and Dennis Chembezi, midfielders Yankho Singo and Blessings Singini, and forwards Frank Gabadinho Mhango, Richard Mbulu, and Chawanangwa Kaonga.
