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Malawi national football team

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Malawi
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)The Flames
AssociationFootball Association of Malawi
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCOSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coachMario Marinică/Meke Mwase
CaptainLimbikani Mzava
Most capsYoung Chimodzi (159)
Top scorerKinnah Phiri (71)
Home stadiumBingu National Stadium
FIFA codeMWI
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 131 Increase 3 (28 November 2024)[1]
Highest53 (December 1992)
Lowest138 (December 2007, March 2008)
First international
 Nyasaland 0–5 Northern Rhodesia 
(Malawi; 1957) [1]
Biggest win
 Malawi 8–1 Botswana 
(Malawi; 13 July 1968)
 Malawi 8–1 Djibouti 
(Blantyre, Malawi; 31 May 2008)
Biggest defeat
 Nyasaland 0–12 Gold Coast 
(Malawi; 15 October 1962)
 Nyasaland 0–12 Ghana 
(Malawi; 12 December 1965)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances3 (first in 1984)
Best resultRound of 16 (2021)
COSAFA Cup
Appearances19 (first in 1997)
Best resultRunners-up (2002, 2003)

The Malawi national football team, nicknamed The Flames, represents Malawi in international football and is controlled by the Football Association of Malawi. Before 1966, they were known as the Nyasaland national football team.

They have qualified for three Africa Cup of Nations, in 1984, 2010 and 2021. They also won the CECAFA Cup in 1978, 1979 and 1988.

History

Malawi first qualified for an African Cup of Nations in 1984, when only eight teams competed in the tournament in Ivory Coast. After a 3-0 defeat against Algeria, World Cup participants in 1982 and 1986, the Malawi drew 2-2 in the second game against eventual finalists Nigeria. With a 0–1 loss against Ghana, Malawi ended the group stage with 1 point at the bottom of the table and was eliminated from the tournament.

After 26 years, Malawi took part in an Africa Cup of Nations again in 2010. The team benefited from the fact that the continental elimination round for the 2010 FIFA World Cup also served as the qualifying round for AFCON. In the group matches of the third round, Malawi, third place behind Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso and with a record of only four points and 4–11 goal difference, was enough to make it to the continental finals.

At the tournament in Angola, Kinnah Phiri's team caused a big surprise. In the first group game, Malawi defeated Algeria, which had qualified for the World Cup, 3-0. One of the goalscorers was striker Russel Mwafulirwa, who at the time was under contract for the Swedish first division club IFK Norrköping and was thus one of only two players in the 23-man squad active in Europe. Malawi lost the second game against hosts Angola, 2-0.

For Malawi to have reached the quarter-finals for the first time, a draw in the last group game would have been enough. However, the team lost 3-1 to Mali. After just three minutes, the Malawians were 2-0 down, a goal from Mwafulirwa did nothing to avert the team's elimination.

Recent results and forthcoming fixtures

Matches in last 12 months, as well as any future scheduled matches.

2021

17 March Friendly Ethiopia  4–0  Malawi Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Stadium: Addis Ababa Stadium
24 March 2021 AFCONQ South Sudan  0–1  Malawi Omdurman, Sudan
16:00 UTC+3 Report
Stadium: Al-Hilal Stadium
Referee: Anthony Ogwayo (Kenya)
29 March 2021 AFCONQ Malawi  1–0  Uganda Lilongwe, Malawi
15:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Bingu National Stadium
Referee: Celso Alvação (Mozambique)
13 June Friendly Tanzania  2–0  Malawi Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
16:00 UTC+3
Report Stadium: National Stadium
Referee: Ramadhani Kayoko (Tanzania)
9 July 2021 COSAFA Cup Group B Malawi  2–2  Zimbabwe Port Elizabeth, South Africa
12:00 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Wolfson Stadium
Referee: Keabetswe Dintwa (Botswana)
11 July 2021 COSAFA Cup Group B Mozambique  2–0  Malawi Port Elizabeth, South Africa
17:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Referee: Brighton Chimene (Zimbabwe)
13 July 2021 COSAFA Cup Group B Malawi  1–1  Namibia Port Elizabeth, South Africa
12:00 UTC+2 M. Mhone 73' Report E. Kambindu 53' Stadium: Wolfson Stadium
Referee: Akhona Makalima (South Africa)
14 July 2021 COSAFA Cup Group B Senegal  2–1  Malawi Port Elizabeth, South Africa
12:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Referee: Keabetswe Dintwa (Bostswana)
3 September 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Group D Cameroon  2–0  Malawi Yaoundé, Cameroon
20:00 UTC+1 Report Stadium: Paul Biya Stadium
Referee: Jean Jacques Ndala Ngambo (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
7 September 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Group D Malawi  1–0  Mozambique Johannesburg, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Orlando Stadium
Referee: Souleiman Ahmed Djama (Djibouti)
8 October 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Group D Malawi  0–3  Ivory Coast Johannesburg, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2 Report Gradel 36'
I. Sangaré 85'
Boga 90+5'
Stadium: Orlando Stadium
Referee: Peter Waweru (Kenya)
13 November 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Group D Malawi  0–4  Cameroon Johannesburg, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Orlando Stadium
Referee: Issa Sy (Senegal)
16 November 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Group D Mozambique  1–0  Malawi Cotonou, Benin
14:00 UTC+1
Report Stadium: Stade de l'Amitié
Referee: Hassan Mohamed Hagi (Somalia)
31 December Friendly Comoros  1–2  Malawi Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Report
Stadium: Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium

2022

14 January 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Malawi  2–1  Zimbabwe Bafoussam, Cameroon
17:00
Report
Stadium: Kouekong Stadium
Referee: Beida Dahane (Mauritania)

Coaching staff

[3]

Position Name
Head of Technical Panel, Interim Head Coach Romania Mario Marinică
1st Assistant coach Malawi Meck Mwase
2nd Assistant coach Malawi Lovemore Fazili
Goalkeeping coach Malawi Swadick Sanudi
Fitness coach Malawi Bob Mpinganjira
Physiotherapist Malawi Chikondi Mandalasi
Team Doctor Malawi Dr. Precious Kadzamira
Kit Manager Malawi Richard Justin
Technical Manager Malawi Clement Kafwafwa

Coaching history

Caretaker coaches are listed in italics

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.[4]

Caps and goals are correct as of 25 January 2022, after the match against Morocco.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
16 1GK Ernest Kakhobwe (1993-06-26) 26 June 1993 (age 31) 27 0 Malawi Big Bullets
23 1GK William Thole (1998-10-02) 2 October 1998 (age 26) 5 0 Malawi Mighty Wanderers
1 1GK Charles Thomu (1999-01-24) 24 January 1999 (age 25) 2 0 Malawi Silver Strikers

2 2DF Stanley Sanudi (1995-02-02) 2 February 1995 (age 29) 67 0 Malawi Mighty Wanderers
19 2DF Limbikani Mzava (1993-11-12) 12 November 1993 (age 31) 64 2 South Africa AmaZulu
4 2DF Peter Cholopi (1996-08-19) 19 August 1996 (age 28) 30 0 Malawi Mighty Wanderers
5 2DF Dennis Chembezi (1997-01-15) 15 January 1997 (age 27) 30 0 South Africa Polokwane City
6 2DF Gomezgani Chirwa (1996-09-25) 25 September 1996 (age 28) 19 0 Malawi Big Bullets
12 2DF Mark Fodya (1997-12-22) 22 December 1997 (age 26) 5 0 Malawi Silver Strikers
15 2DF Lawrence Chaziya (1998-08-19) 19 August 1998 (age 26) 4 0 Malawi Civil Service United

17 3MF John Banda (1992-02-06) 6 February 1992 (age 32) 80 7 Mozambique Songo
7 3MF Micium Mhone (1992-01-19) 19 January 1992 (age 32) 50 4 Malawi Blue Eagles
21 3MF Chikoti Chirwa (1992-03-09) 9 March 1992 (age 32) 29 2 Malawi Kamuzu Barracks
8 3MF Chimwemwe Idana (1998-09-07) 7 September 1998 (age 26) 31 0 Malawi Big Bullets
3 3MF Charles Petro (2001-02-08) 8 February 2001 (age 23) 25 0 Moldova Sheriff Tiraspol

11 4FW Gabadinho Mhango (1992-09-27) 27 September 1992 (age 32) 61 15 South Africa Orlando Pirates
14 4FW Robin Ngalande (1992-11-02) 2 November 1992 (age 32) 46 2 Ethiopia Saint George
9 4FW Richard Mbulu (1994-01-25) 25 January 1994 (age 30) 38 5 South Africa Baroka
20 4FW Yamikani Chester (1994-12-20) 20 December 1994 (age 29) 32 0 Malawi Mighty Wanderers
22 4FW Khuda Muyaba (1993-12-26) 26 December 1993 (age 30) 22 4 South Africa Polokwane City
13 4FW Peter Banda (2000-09-22) 22 September 2000 (age 24) 18 0 Tanzania Simba
10 4FW Francisco Madinga (2000-02-11) 11 February 2000 (age 24) 11 0 Georgia (country) Dila Gori
18 4FW Zebron Kalima (2002-05-13) 13 May 2002 (age 22) 2 0 Malawi Silver Strikers

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for the team in the last 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Brighton Munthali (1997-12-11) 11 December 1997 (age 26) 21 0 Malawi Silver Strikers 2021 Africa Cup of Nations RES

DF Paul Ndhlovu (1992-02-18) 18 February 1992 (age 32) 1 0 Malawi MAFCO 2021 Africa Cup of Nations RES
DF Norchard Chimbalanga 0 0 Malawi MAFCO 2021 Africa Cup of Nations RES
DF Francis Mulimbika (1993-03-27) 27 March 1993 (age 31) 31 0 Malawi Mighty Wanderers vs.  Mozambique, 16 November 2021
DF Nickson Mwase (1997-02-20) 20 February 1997 (age 27) 2 0 Malawi Silver Strikers vs.  Mozambique, 16 November 2021
DF Nickson Nyasulu (1998-03-03) 3 March 1998 (age 26) 4 0 Malawi Mighty Wanderers vs.  Mozambique, 7 September 2021
DF Precious Sambani (1998-05-21) 21 May 1998 (age 26) 24 1 Malawi Big Bullets vs.  Tanzania, 13 June 2021
DF Kieran Ngwenya (2002-09-25) 25 September 2002 (age 22) 2 0 Scotland Aberdeen vs.  Tanzania, 13 June 2021

MF Gerald Phiri Jr. (1993-06-08) 8 June 1993 (age 31) 49 11 South Africa Baroka 2021 Africa Cup of Nations RES
MF Tawonga Chimodzi (1988-08-26) 26 August 1988 (age 36) 21 0 Cyprus Omonia Aradippou vs.  Mozambique, 16 November 2021
MF Mike Mkwate (1988-05-12) 12 May 1988 (age 36) 7 0 South Africa Polokwane City vs.  Mozambique, 16 November 2021
MF Duncan Nyoni (1998-05-18) 18 May 1998 (age 26) 7 0 Malawi Silver Strikers vs.  Ivory Coast, 11 October 2021
MF Vitumbiko Kumwenda (1998-09-23) 23 September 1998 (age 26) 1 0 Malawi Blue Eeagles 2021 COSAFA Cup
MF Dan Kumwenda (1997-05-17) 17 May 1997 (age 27) 0 0 Malawi Mighty Wanderers 2021 COSAFA Cup
MF Chimango Kayira (1993-09-28) 28 September 1993 (age 31) 68 0 Malawi Big Bullets vs.  Tanzania, 13 June 2021
MF Rafiq Namwera (1991-10-30) 30 October 1991 (age 33) 15 0 Malawi Mighty Wanderers vs.  Tanzania, 13 June 2021
MF Patrick Banda (1996-06-01) 1 June 1996 (age 28) 0 0 Malawi Ekwendeni Hammers vs.  Uganda, 29 March 2021

FW Stain Davie (1997-09-23) 23 September 1997 (age 27) 1 0 Malawi Silver Strikers 2021 Africa Cup of Nations RES
FW Hassan Kajoke (1997-12-07) 7 December 1997 (age 26) 6 2 Malawi Big Bullets vs.  Mozambique, 16 November 2021
FW Lloyd Njaliwa (1998-05-24) 24 May 1998 (age 26) 0 0 Malawi Moyale Barracks vs.  Mozambique, 16 November 2021
FW Vincent Nyangulu (1995-07-04) 4 July 1995 (age 29) 4 0 Malawi Mighty Wanderers vs.  Ivory Coast, 11 October 2021
FW Schumacher Kuwali (1996-06-27) 27 June 1996 (age 28) 10 0 Mozambique Songo vs.  Uganda, 29 March 2021

Records

As of 25 January 2022 [5]
Players in bold are still active with Malawi.

Competition records

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA
Uruguay 1930 Part of  United Kingdom Part of  United Kingdom
Italy 1934
France 1938
Brazil 1950
Switzerland 1954
Sweden 1958
Chile 1962
England 1966 Did not enter Did not enter
Mexico 1970
West Germany 1974
Argentina 1978 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 0 5
Spain 1982 2 0 1 1 1 4
Mexico 1986 4 2 0 2 5 2
Italy 1990 8 2 3 3 6 6
United States 1994 Withdrew Withdrew
France 1998 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 0 4
South Korea Japan 2002 8 1 2 5 6 12
Germany 2006 12 2 4 6 15 27
South Africa 2010 12 5 1 6 18 16
Brazil 2014 6 1 4 1 4 5
Russia 2018 2 1 0 1 1 2
Qatar 2022 8 3 2 3 4 7
United States Canada Mexico 2026 To be determined To be determined
Total 0/22 0 0 0 0 0 0 66 17 17 32 60 90

Africa Cup of Nations

Africa Cup of Nations record Africa Cup of Nations qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA
Sudan 1957 Part of  United Kingdom Part of  United Kingdom
United Arab Republic 1959
Ethiopia 1962
Ghana 1963
Tunisia 1965 Not affiliated to CAF Not affiliated to CAF
Ethiopia 1968
Sudan 1970
Cameroon 1972
Egypt 1974 Did not enter Did not enter
Ethiopia 1976 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 4 9
Ghana 1978 2 0 1 1 3 4
Nigeria 1980 4 1 0 3 6 7
Libya 1982 2 0 1 1 1 2
Ivory Coast 1984 Group stage 7th 3 0 1 2 2 6 Squad 4 3 1 0 6 2
Egypt 1986 Did not qualify 2 0 2 0 2 2
Morocco 1988 2 0 0 2 1 4
Algeria 1990 4 1 2 1 5 4
Senegal 1992 4 0 1 3 3 9
Tunisia 1994 6 2 1 3 4 7
South Africa 1996 6 1 3 2 6 7
Burkina Faso 1998 6 3 0 3 9 10
Ghana Nigeria 2000 2 1 0 1 2 2
Mali 2002 2 0 0 2 2 5
Tunisia 2004 4 1 0 3 3 10
Egypt 2006 12 2 4 6 15 27
Ghana 2008 4 1 0 3 2 6
Angola 2010 Group stage 11th 3 1 0 2 4 5 Squad 6 4 0 2 14 5
Gabon Equatorial Guinea 2012 Did not qualify 8 2 6 0 13 8
South Africa 2013 4 1 0 3 4 6
Equatorial Guinea 2015 6 2 1 3 5 9
Gabon 2017 6 2 1 3 5 9
Egypt 2019 6 1 2 3 2 6
Cameroon 2021 Round of 16 13th 4 1 1 2 3 4 Squad 6 3 1 2 4 5
Ivory Coast 2023 To be determined To be determined
Guinea 2025
Total Round of 16 3/33 10 2 2 6 9 15 110 31 28 51 121 165

African Games

Football at the African Games has been an under-23 tournament since 1991.
African Games record
Year Result Pld W D L GF GA
Republic of the Congo 1965 Did not qualify
Nigeria 1973 Did not qualify
Algeria 1978 4th 5 0 0 5 2 11
Kenya 1987 3rd 5 3 1 1 8 4
1991–present See Malawi national under-23 football team
Total 2/4 10 3 1 6 10 15

Gossage Cup / CECAFA Cup

CECAFA Cup record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA

COSAFA Cup

COSAFA Cup record
Year Rank Pld W D L GF GA
1997 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1998 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1999 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2001 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2002 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2003 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2004 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2005 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2006 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2007 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
South Africa 2008 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Zimbabwe 2009 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Zambia 2013 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
South Africa 2015 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Namibia 2016 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
South Africa 2017 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
South Africa 2018 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
South Africa 2019 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0/19 - - - - - -

Head-to-head record

As of 17 November 2019 after match against  Uganda[6]

  Positive Record   Neutral Record   Negative Record

Opponent
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
 Algeria 7 2 1 4 6 13 −7
 Angola 9 3 3 3 8 10 −2
 Benin 2 1 0 1 1 1 0
 Botswana 25 12 8 5 47 21 +26
 Burkina Faso 4 0 1 3 3 7 −4
 Burundi 3 0 2 1 4 6 −2
 Cameroon 9 1 4 4 6 13 −7
 Chad 6 3 1 2 15 10 +5
 Comoros 4 3 0 1 5 3 +2
 Congo 2 0 0 2 1 3 −2
 Djibouti 4 4 0 0 17 1 +16
 DR Congo 10 3 3 4 8 9 −1
 Egypt 10 3 2 5 8 14 −6
 Eritrea 1 1 0 0 3 2 +1
 Eswatini 27 11 11 5 40 21 +19
 Ethiopia 11 3 6 2 11 9 +2
 Gabon 1 1 0 0 2 0 +2
 Ghana 6 0 1 5 0 17 −17
 Guinea 7 1 3 3 7 10 −3
 Ivory Coast 6 1 1 4 7 12 −5
 Kenya 47 19 18 10 61 46 +15
 Lesotho 20 13 4 3 43 12 +31
 Liberia 3 0 1 2 0 2 −2
 Libya 3 0 1 2 3 5 −2
 Madagascar 10 2 1 7 12 21 −9
 Mali 5 1 1 3 5 8 −3
 Mauritius 20 11 5 4 31 19 +12
 Morocco 10 1 3 6 3 15 −12
 Mozambique 31 12 11 8 34 29 +5
 Namibia 15 4 3 8 15 20 −5
 Nigeria 8 0 2 6 9 20 −11
 Réunion 1 1 0 0 8 2 +6
 Rwanda 9 5 2 2 16 9 +7
 Senegal 3 1 0 2 5 7 −2
 Seychelles 1 1 0 0 3 0 +3
 Sierra Leone 4 3 1 0 14 5 +9
 Somalia 3 3 0 0 6 2 +4
 South Africa 13 1 3 9 5 20 −15
 South Sudan 2 1 0 1 1 2 −1
 Sudan 3 2 1 0 6 1 +5
 Tanzania 55 17 25 13 62 52 +10
 Togo 3 2 1 0 3 1 +2
 Tunisia 7 2 3 2 8 16 −8
 Uganda 31 8 9 14 32 39 −7
 Yemen 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1
 Zambia 79 19 17 43 68 170 −102
 Zanzibar 15 12 2 1 34 10 +24
 Zimbabwe 64 18 21 25 60 82 −22
Total 620 212 182 226 746 798 −52

Honours

COSAFA Cup :
CECAFA Cup :
All Africa Games :
  • 1 Third Place (1987)

References

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 21 November 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  3. ^ "Malawi coach Meck Mwase demoted, Marinica to take charge at Afcon, December 5th, 2021 - Malawi24.com". 5 December 2021.
  4. ^ "Flames Technical Panel has named the final squad". Facebook. Football Association of Malawi. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  5. ^ Mamrud, Roberto. "Malawi - Record International Players". RSSSF.
  6. ^ "World Football Elo Ratings: Malawi". Elo Ratings. Retrieved 15 July 2017.