Malawi National Football Team coach Kalisto Pasuwa is sweating for the fitness of some of his players ahead of the second international friendly match against Lesotho at Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa today.
In his pre-match interview Monday, Pasuwa said defender Alick Lungu has been ruled out of the match due to an injury.
Pasuwa said four more players, defenders Emmanuel Nyirenda, Nixon Mwase, Charles Petro and goalkeeper George Chikooka were doubtful for today’s match due to injuries.
“We are having a problem with Emmanuel [Nyirenda] [who] is having a groin problem and chances are slim for him. Then, we had Charles [Petro], who had a knock of his eye and he did not train on Sunday. Nixon [Nyasulu] had a knee injury,” Pasuwa said.
Apart from the five players, Pasuwa said attacking midfielder Chifundo Mphasi will also miss today’s match after he was granted permission to link up with his team Power Dynamos in Morocco for Caf Champions League matches.
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The Zimbabwean said due to injuries, he will likely make changes in today’s match.
“Yes, changes can be there. One or two due to injuries or some of the guys who did not play, we might give them a chance to play,” he said.
The two teams will face each other three days after a goal-less stalemate at the same venue.
During the first match, Pasuwa rested several players including Lloyd Aaron, Uchizi Vunga, Blessings Singini, Blessings Mpokera, Andrew Joseph and Yann Kouakou.
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Malawi will be looking for their first win against Lesotho in eight matches.
The Flames last beat Lesotho 1-0 in an international friendly match in 2009.
Before Saturday’s goal-less stalemate, Lesotho also beat Malawi 1-0 at the 2025 Cosafa Cup in South Africa in June.
In addition, the Flames will be looking to return to winning ways after failing to win in three matches. The team drew 2-2 with Liberia in the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe before a 1-0 loss to Sao Tome and Principe.
Reigning Caf Women’s Footballer of the Year, Barbara Banda from Zambia has also failed to make the cut for top three.
