Malawi National Football Team Coach Kalisto Pasuwa has named a strong squad for this year’s Cosafa Cup.
The competition is scheduled for June 4 to 15 in Mangaung, South Africa.
Pasuwa has maintained the bulk of players who played in the African Nations Championship (Chan) play-offs against Comoros and South Africa.
Goalkeeper George Chikooka, defenders Macdonald Lameck, Maxwell Paipi, midfielders Yankho Singo, Wongani Lungu and winger Wisdom Mpinganjira have been included in the squad.
Gaddie Chirwa, Chawanangwa Gumbo, Zebron Kalima, Promise Kamwendo, Zeliati Nkhoma, Olson Kanjira, Richard Chimbamba are also in the squad.
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Pasuwa has also included Japan-based youngster Washali Jaziya, Blessings Mpokera, Oscar Petro and Allen Chihana.
Notable exclusions from the Cosafa squad are Lloyd Aaron, Alick Lungu, Binwell Katinji and Nickson Mwase.
Football Association of Malawi (Fam) Competitions and Communications Director Gomezgani Zakazaka said the Flames would start preparations at Mpira Village this coming weekend.
“The team will regroup on Saturday after the games [that have been lined up] while other players will join camp on Sunday,” he said.
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The Flames are expected to leave for South Africa on Tuesday.
The Flames, who are in Group B, will begin their 2025 Hollywoodbets Cosafa Cup task against Lesotho at Toyota Stadium on June 5 in Mangaung, South Africa.
The Flames will face Namibia in their second Group B match at Petrus Molemela Stadium on June 7 before wrapping up against defending champions Angola at Toyota Stadium three days later.
The group stage matches will be played until June 11, with the semi-final matches set for June 13.
Group winners will advance to the semi-finals of the competition, with Group A winners facing Group D winners in the semi-finals.
The top team in Group B will meet the top team in Group C.
This year’s tournament will attract 14 teams.
Group A comprises hosts South Africa, Mozambique, Mauritius and Zimbabwe.
Group C has guest nation Morocco, Madagascar and eSwatini whereas Group D comprises Zambia, Comoros and Botswana.
Malawi have never won the Cosafa Cup but finished as runners-up in 2002 and 2003.
Below is the full squad: Chikooka, Chimbamba, Lucky Tizola, Lameck, Mpokera, Paipi, Fanizo Mwansambo, Timothy Silwimba, Jaziya, Emmanuel Nyirenda, Andrew Jovinala, Singo, Petro, Blessings Singini, Gumbo, Charles Nkhoma, Kalima, Mpinganjira, Chirwa, Chikumbutso Salima, Kamwendo, Allen Chihana, Nkhoma and Kanjira.
