Japan-based defender in Malawi’s COSAFA Cup squad

Malawi coach Kalisto Pasuwa has announced a 25-member squad for the COSAFA Cup, with little known Japan-based defender Washali Jaziya being the only player based abroad.

Pasuwa, who has recovered from illness, named Jaziya as the surprise inclusion in the squad comprising mostly home-based players from Malawi’s ill-fated African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualification campaign. 

The youthful defender has earned promotion from the under-20 national team he captains after playing at the 2024 COSAFA U-20 Championship. Notable casualties in the squad are FCB Nyasa Big Bullets midfielder Lloyd Aaron and Silver Strikers centre-forward Binwell Katinji. The former is a regular for the Flames.

Zimbabwean coach Pasuwa has opted to experiment with Big Bullets reserve team midfielder Oscar Petro and Karonga United’s Allen Chihana. There is also no place in the team for South Africa-based star Gabadinho Mhango, veteran midfielder John Banda, forward Richard Mbulu from Mozambican side UD Songo and Zambia-based attacker Chawanangwa Kaonga.

The Flames will compete in Group B of the COSAFA Cup alongside holders Angola, one-time winners Namibia and Lesotho at the tournament scheduled to take place in Mangaung, Bloemfontein in South Africa from June 5 to 15.

Malawi, the 2002 and 2003 finalists, are returning to the tournament after missing last year’s edition due to the death of vice-president Saulos Chilima in a plane crash.

Flames Full Squad

Goalkeepers

Richard Chimbamba (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), George Chikooka (Silver Strikers), Lucky Tizola (Mighty Tigers FC)

Defenders

McDonald Lameck, Nixon Mwase, Maxwell Paipi (all Silver Strikers), Fanizo Mwansambo (Ekhaya FC), Emmanuel Nyirenda (Mighty Wanderers), Andrew Jovinala, Alick Lungu (both FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Washali Jaziya (Nankatsu SC, Japan).

Midfielders

Yakho Singo, Chawanangwa Gumbo, Wongani Lungu (all FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Charles Nkhoma (Moyale Barracks), Blessings Singini (Mighty Wanderers), Oscar Petro (Big Bullets Reserve).

Attackers

Zeliati Nkhoma, Olson Kanjira (both Kamuzu Barracks), Wisdom Mpinganjira, Gaddie Chirwa, Promise Kamwendo (all Mighty Wanderers), Chikumbutso Salima (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Allen Chihana (Karonga United)