Malawi National Football Team Coach, Calisto Pasuwa, has backed the new players called up in his 26-man squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers against Namibia away on 5 September and Liberia at home on 8 September.
In the squad, the coach has included new faces like USA-based attackers Mayele Malango who plays for Monterey Bay FC and Henry Kumwenda who plays for Butler Men’s Soccer.
At the back, Washari Jaziya, who plays for a Japanese club, Nankatsu SC, has also been called.
In goal, Ekhaya FC’s fresh signing, Joshua Waka, has received his first official call up to represent the country after he similarly did on Independence Day against Botswana in Lilongwe.
Pasuwa said he has included the new names in the squad because he is still building a team.
“We are bound to change the team until we have players that can give us a result we want. Since I was appointed, I have been following each and every player including Mayele (Malango) who I have been talking to almost each and every day. For Henry Kumwenda, I watched a few of his games,” he said.
The rest of the squad contains some regulars.
Starting from the offensive players there is Gabadinho Mhango (Richards Bay), Richard Mbulu (Costa Do Sol), Wisdom Mpinganjira (Mighty Wanderers FC), Patrick Mwaungulu and Lanjesi Nkhoma (TP Mazembe), Chikumbutso Salima (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets) and Chawanangwa Kaonga (Zanaco).
Midfielders that have been called are Yankho Singo (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Blessings Singini (Mighty Wanderers) Lloyd Aaron (Muaither Sc) Lloyd Njaliwa (Costa Do Sol) and Robert Saizi (Zanaco).
For defenders, Pasuwa has called 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) and Alick Lungu (Ekhaya FC).
Goal minders that are regulars and have been called to represent the nation are William Thole (Simba Bhora) and George Chikooka (Silver Strikers).
Sports Analyst, Dan Chemis, described the overall squad as ‘good and well balanced’.
However, he noted the absence of midfielders like Chimwemwe Idana, Stanley Biliati and captain John ‘CJ’ Banda, whom he said might have been dropped due to underperformance at their respective clubs.
“Do not forget that some players are growing old and we need younger ones. I have to commend Pasuwa for roping in Malango because it might be a boost for Gaba—who has been outstanding. On goal, bringing in Waka is a motivation, and Thole has got more clean sheets in Zimbabwe (where he plays) likewise Chikooka,” he said.
Malawi is 5th in Group H of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with all teams having played 6 games.
Flames has 6 points, on 4th is Equatorial Guinea with 7 points, on 3rd there is Liberia which has accumulated 10 points. Namibia is second with 12 points and the group leaders are the Northern African giants, Tunisia with 16 points.
Bottom of the group is Sao Tome and Principe, who were already eliminated as they have no point.
After Malawi’s September games, they shall return in action in October when they shall date Equatorial Guinea at home and Sao Tome and Principe away.
