Tag Archives: COSAFA CUP

Sports

Flames’ COSAFA Cup hopes hang in balance after goalless draw

Jones Gadama

By Jones Gadama

The Malawi National Football Team, affectionately known as the Flames, has been held to a goalless draw by Namibia in their second match of the 2025 Hollywoodbets COSAFA Cup.

This result leaves the team rooted at the bottom of Group B with just one point from two games.

The match, played at the Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa, was a tightly contested affair, with both teams creating few scoring opportunities.

Despite dominating possession, the Flames were unable to find a way past the Namibia defense, while the Brave Warriors’ solid defending and occasional counter-attacks kept the Malawian goalkeeper George Chikooka on high alert.

Current Group B Standings:

  • Angola: 4 points (group leaders)
  • Lesotho: 3 points
  • Namibia: 2 points
  • Malawi: 1 point

To keep their hopes of advancing alive, the Flames must now defeat group leaders Angola in their final match on Tuesday and hope that the encounter between Namibia and Lesotho on the same day ends in a draw.

Given the competitive nature of the tournament, this will be a tall order for the Malawian team.

“We need to get into the box and score goals,” said Flames assistant coach Peter Mponda after the match, highlighting the team’s struggles in front of goal.

Despite the setback, Mponda remains optimistic about the team’s chances, emphasizing that they have worked on their shortfalls and are determined to secure a positive result against Angola.

Upcoming Fixtures:

  • Namibia vs Lesotho: June 10
  • Angola vs Malawi: June 10

The Flames’ final match against Angola will be a crucial one, with the team needing a win to keep their semifinal dreams alive.

Malawi football fans will be hoping that their team can rise to the occasion and deliver a performance that keeps their COSAFA Cup aspirations burning.

Sports

Flames Coach Pasuwa Names 25-Man Squad for Cosafa Cup

Maravi Post Reporter

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.

Malawi Flames
Flames’ AFCON dreams dim after two consecutive losses

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.

Sports, TNM Super League

Bullets games on despite four key players’ absence to Flames’ Cosafa tourney

Maravi Post Reporter

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-FCB Nyasa Big Bullets say will continue playing in the TNM Super League despite the absence of their four key players who have traveled to South Africa with the Flames for the Cosafa Cup.

Bullets will play Yanga FC of Tanzania on Thursday, July 6, 2023, in the capital Lilongwe in a friendly match before taking on Blue Eagles in the league in Blantyre on Sunday.

The Club’s Administration Officer Albert Chigoga confirmed the development.

While on the other hand, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers have written Sulom asking them to cancel their game against Mafco on Saturday.

“We are yet to hear from Silver Strikers,” Club’s CEO Roosevelt Mpinganjira said.

All three teams have contributed four players each to National Team. Bullets have contributed Lanjesi Nkhoma, Patrick Mwaungulu, Frank Willard and Alick Lungu.

Wanderers have Christopher Kumwembe, Gaddie Chirwa, Stanley Sanudi and Lawrence Chaziya

The silver quartet of Chimwemwe Idana, Chikondi Kamanga, Patrick Macheso and Nickson Mwase are in the Flames squad.

Malawi’s Flames went into COSAFA tourney without camping.

Sports

Walter Nyamilandu sacks coach Ernest Mtawali instead of himself

Ufulu 1 Comment

Walter Nyamilandu
FAM President Walter Nyamilandu

Football Association of Malawi fired coach Ernest Mtawali and his assistant Nsanzurwimo Ramadahan, whose contracts were due to expire on 31 July. FAM as we predicted when Mtawali was hired that it was going to be just a matter of time before he got fired. Continue reading Walter Nyamilandu sacks coach Ernest Mtawali instead of himself →

Sports

Miracle Gabeya scores for Malawi on his birthday to set showdown with Lesotho: COSAFA cup

Maravi Post correspondent

Gabeya; dying a little for his country
Gabeya; dying a little for his country

LILONGWE (MaraviPost)—Malawi national soccer team fondly known as the flames on Tuesday edged Mauritius 1-0 in the ongoing COSAFA tournament in Namibia. The fantastic goal, a header from papa Gerald Phiri’s well taken corner, was scored by the hardworking defender Miracle Gabeya.

At the end of the game, Gabeya could not hold it but to shed some tears of joy considering the fact that it was on his birthday that he did a good job of bringing smile and happiness to millions of team’s supporters in the country who are most of the times denied such moments by their beloved team.

However, the win means that Malawi and Lesotho have the same points, 6 points, with Lesotho being on top of the group due to a goal difference. Lesotho beat the youthful Angolan team 2-0.

This therefore follows that Malawi will have to win by all cost in their next game against Lesotho for a draw result will be in favour of Lesotho due to the goal difference in question.

The winner of this group will advance to the quarterfinals where they will face South Africa on Saturday.