Malawi’s Flames coach Pasuwa recounts sudden illness in South Africa

Pasuwa (lying in bed): Photo Credit:

Football Association of Malawi.

Malawi senior national football team coach Kalisto Pasuwa has revealed the severity of the illness that sidelined him from the Flames’ game against Bafana Bafana on Sunday, May 11, 2025.

The Zimbabwean said he spent four days in an Intensive Care Unit at a hospital in Pretoria after suffering from a pulmonary disease. He fell ill on the eve of the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) final qualifying round, second leg match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.

“Since I left the hospital one day ago, I have been reflecting on my life, and I can only smile and thank God. It was not easy lying on a hospital bed in an ICU ward instead of my beautiful fantasy bed in the sanctuary of my bedroom,” Pasuwa wrote on his Facebook page.

“A lot has happened since the fateful Saturday, 10 May 2025, when I was hospitalised with a condition that I even fail to pronounce to date, they say pulmonary something, something. That same night, another guy was also admitted with the same condition, but unfortunately, he did not make it, which leaves me with more questions than answers. Why did I earn the Lord's favour?”

He added: “Only HIM can answer that and all I can say is Thank you, Lord, for the breath of life. It took a lot of effort and love from the hospital crew, my family and friends, but above everything, the great love of our God. There are a lot of lessons learnt and I will be sharing with you as we go.”

In Pasuwa’s absence, his assistant Peter Mponda took charge of the Flames, who lost 2-0 to miss the CHAN qualification ticket 2-1 on aggregate. The former FCB Nyasa Big Bullets mentor had presided over a home 1-0 win over Bafana Bafana in the CHAN final qualifying round, first leg match in Lilongwe the previous weekend.

Victor Letsoalo and Neo Maema scored in each half to see Bafana Bafana through to the CHAN finals scheduled for Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in August 2025.