By Jones Gadama
Flames coach Kallisto Pasuwa has announced a 25-member squad for the upcoming 2025 Cosafa Cup, which will be held in South Africa next month. The squad is expected to go into camp this weekend as the team prepares for the tournament.
The team comprises mostly players who were involved in the CAF African Nations Championship (Chan) qualifiers, where Malawi was eliminated by South Africa after losing 2-1 on aggregate in the last qualifying round. However, there are some new faces in the squad, including Japan-based Washali Jaziya, who plays for Nankatsu SC, Karonga United’s Allen Chihana, and Bullets Reserves’ Oscar Petro.
Pasuwa has also made some notable omissions, dropping regulars such as Binwell Katinji, Alick Lungu, Lloyd Aaron, and Nixon Mwase, who were part of the Chan squad. The coach’s decision to include new players and drop experienced ones has sparked interest and anticipation among football fans.
The squad includes a mix of experienced and young players, with some coming from top clubs in the country. The goalkeepers named in the squad are George Chikooka from Silver Strikers, Richard Chimbamba from FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, and Lucky Tizola from Mighty Tigers FC.
The defenders include McDonald Lameck, Maxwell Paipi, and Blessings Mpokera, among others. The midfielders include Yankho Singo, Oscar Petro, and Blessings Singini, while the attackers include Wisdom Mpinganjira, Gaddie Chirwa, and Chikumbutso Salima.
The Cosafa Cup is a prestigious tournament in the region, and Malawi’s participation is expected to be a significant test for the team. The squad’s preparation and performance will be closely watched by fans and critics alike.
With the tournament fast approaching, the Flames will need to gel quickly and work on their tactics and strategy. Pasuwa’s coaching experience and the players’ determination will be crucial in determining the team’s success in the tournament.
The 25-man squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers
- George Chikooka (Silver Strikers)
- Richard Chimbamba (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets)
- Lucky Tizola (Mighty Tigers FC)
Defenders
- McDonald Lameck (Silver Strikers)
- Blessings Mpokera (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets)
- Maxwell Paipi (Silver Strikers)
- Fanizo Mwansambo (Ekhaya FC)
- Timothy Silwimba (Mighty Wanderers)
- Washali Jaziya (Nankatsu SC, Tokyo, Japan)
- Emmanuel Nyirenda (Mighty Wanderers)
- Andrew Jovinala (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets)
Midfielders
- Yankho Singo (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets)
- Oscar Petro (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves)
- Blessings Singini (Mighty Wanderers)
- Wongani Lungu (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets)
- Chawanangwa Gumbo (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets)
- Charles Nkhoma (Moyale Barracks)
- Zebron Kalima (Silver Strikers)
Attackers
- Wisdom Mpinganjira (Mighty Wanderers)
- Gaddie Chirwa (Mighty Wanderers)
- Chikumbutso Salima (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets)
- Promise Kamwendo (Mighty Wanderers)
- Allen Chihana (Karonga United)
- Zeliyat Nkhoma (Kamuzu Barracks)
- Olson Kanjira (Kamuzu Barracks)
The Flames’ participation in the Cosafa Cup is expected to be an exciting and closely watched event, with fans eagerly anticipating the team’s performance.
