World Cup (Q): Malawi coach maintains Flames’ squad

Malawi national team coach Kalisto Pasuwa has typically gone for the wisdom that you do not fix it, if it is not broken, in naming his latest squad for the Flames’ final 2026 World Cup qualifiers in October.

The Zimbabwean has maintained his players for the remaining 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, clearly basing his faith in his squad from their recent performances.

South Africa-based striker Gabadinho Mhango, scorer in back to-back Group H games against Namibia and Liberia, will once again lead the Flames.

The Richards Bay star is the only South Africa-based player named in the squad with the rest drawn from the local league, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

There is also a place in the team for Congolese born forward Mayele Malango, who is based in America.  Europe-based utility player Charles Petro has also made the cut.

Who are the opponents for Malawi in the World Cup qualifiers?

The Flames will welcome Equatorial Guinea on October 9 followed by a trip to face bottom-placed São Tomé and Príncipe four days later.

Malawi are all but out of the World Cup qualification race, sitting in fourth place with 10 points. Group leaders Tunisia sealed their place at the finals while second-placed Namibia remain in contention for a play-off spot.

Equatorial Guinea also have a similar number of points but goal aggregate separate them from the Malawians.