Wa Ganyu 

Malawi Flames Coach, Patrick Mabedi, has named the travelling team for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier matches against Senegal scheduled to be played on Friday, October 11, 2024 and a return match at Bingu Stadium just four days later.

Mabedi has brought back striker Richard Mbulu and attacking midfielder Lloyd Njaliwa who plays for Costa Do Sol in Mozambique, dropping Power Dynamos striker Chifundo Mphasi.

He has maintained his faith in Zanaco striker Chawanangwa Kaonga and Kamuzu Barracks striker Zeliet Nkhoma.

Surprisingly, Mabedi has only taken one player from champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Lloyd Aaron, dropping four others who were involved in the Burkina Faso and Burundi matches. These are Gomezgani Chirwa, Nickson Nyasulu, Innocent Nyasulu and Precious Sambani.

From Wanderers, Mabedi has taken four players; Lawrence Chaziya, Wisdom Mpinganjira, Timothy Silwimba and Stanley Sanudi, dropping Gaddie Chirwa who was part of the Burundi squad.

He has also taken four players from Silver Strikers; Nickson Mwase, Chimwemwe Idana, Macdonald Lameck and George Chikooka. 

Positions: 

In defence, Mabedi has retained the services of Nickson Mwase, Denis Chembezi, Lawrence Chaziya and Stanley Sanudi, adding some freshness with the inclusion of enterprising left back Timothy Silwimba and Silver’s right back Macdonald Lameck. Their goalposts will be manned either by George Chikooka or Brighton Munthali.

Up front, because the goals have been lacking in this Malawi team, the announced squad sees a surprise return of striker Richard Mbulu of Costal Do Sol who is set to partner with either Zeliat Nkhoma or ZANACO’s Chawanangwa Kaonga.

In midfield, the only Bullets representative in the squad, Lloyd Aaron Banega will see familiar faces of his captain Christopher John Banda. He will also have his recent past teammates and young millionaires, Patrick Mwaungulu and Lanjesi Nkhoma who have just signed contracts at TP Mazembe and loaned to their sister club, CS Don Bosco. Robert Gomez who plays together with Kaonga at Zanaco has also been included at the midfield. 

For the most part, the players selected in the announced 20-man squad have played together for over a couple of years now, some false dawns at the beginning, punctuated by luck, but often losing together for the most part. 

While many would’ve expected the extended time together to foster team cohesion and tactical familiarity as they prepare for upcoming challenges, the Flames have been boringly predictable and tactically below standard.

Among the results during this period, Malawi participated in two AFCON 2025 qualifiers: one match against Burundi, which ended in a disappointing 3-2 defeat at home, and another against Burkina Faso away in Mali which ended in another loss, this time 1-3.

Full Squad

Goalkeepers

1. Brighton Munthali – Blue Eagles
2. George Chikooka – Silver Strikers

Defenders

3. Denis Chembezi – Iraq
4. Nickson Mwase – Silver Strikers
5. Lawrence Chaziya – Mighty Wanderers
6. Timothy Silwimba – Mighty Wanderers
7. Macdonald Rameck – Silver Strikers
8. Stanley Sanudi – Mighty Wanderers

Midfielders and Wingers

9. Christopher John Banda – UD Songo
10. Lloyd Aaron – FCB Nyasa Big Bullets
11. Lloyd Njaliwa – Costa Do Sol
12. Chimwemwe Idana – Silver Strikers
13. Patrick Mwaungulu – TP Mazembe
14. Lanjesi Nkhoma – TP Mazembe
15. Wisdom Mpinganjira – Mighty Wanderers
16. Yamikani Chester – Costal Do Sol
17. Robert Saizi – ZANACO

Strikers

18. Chawanangwa Kaonga – ZANACO
19. Zeliat Nkhoma – Kamuzu Barracks
20. Richard Mbulu – Costal Do Sol