Malawi national football team facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Malawi

Nickname(s)	The Flames
Association	Football Association of Malawi
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	COSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coach	Callisto Pasuwa
Captain	John Banda
Most caps	Young Chimodzi (159)
Top scorer	Kinnah Phiri (71)
Home stadium	Bingu National Stadium
FIFA code	MWI
First colours Second colours Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current	129 1 (7 February 2019)
Highest	53 (December 1992)
Lowest	138 (December 2007, March 2008)
Elo ranking
Current	149 20 (3 March 2019)
Highest	53 (6 July 1988)
Lowest	148 (November 2018)
First international
Nyasaland 0–5 Northern Rhodesia  (Malawi; 1957)
Biggest win
Malawi 8–1 Botswana  (Malawi; 13 July 1968)  Malawi 8–1 Djibouti  (Blantyre, Malawi; 31 May 2008)
Biggest defeat
Nyasaland 0–12  Ghana (Malawi; 15 October 1962)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances	3 (first in 1984)
Best result	Round of 16 (2021)
COSAFA Cup
Appearances	19 (first in 1997)
Best result	Runners-up (2002, 2003)
Medal record COSAFA Cup Silver 2002 Southern Africa Silver 2003 Southern Africa CECAFA Cup Gold 1978 Malawi Gold 1979 Kenya Gold 1988 Malawi Silver 1975 Zambia Silver 1984 Uganda Silver 1989 Kenya Bronze 1977 Somalia Bronze 1980 Sudan Bronze 1985 Zimbabwe

The Malawi national football team represents the country of Malawi in the sport of association football. This team is controlled by the Football Association of Malawi. Before 1966, the team was known as the Nyasaland national football team.

The team is nicknamed the Flames. Malawi has played in the Africa Cup of Nations three times: in 1984, 2010, and 2021. They also won the CECAFA Cup in 1978, 1979, and 1988.

Team History and Achievements

Early Days and Coaches

The first full-time coach for the Malawi national football team was Ron Meades. He was appointed through the English Football Association. His job was to prepare the team for special Republic Celebrations matches.

Later, Ray Batchelor coached the team for four years. He led them in 23 friendly games and two Olympic Games. Over the years, many coaches have guided the Flames. Some of the most successful coaches include Ted Powell, Henry Moyo, and Kim Splidsboel. Henry Moyo was special because he was the first former national player to become the team's coach.

Playing in Big Tournaments

Malawi first played in the African Cup of Nations in 1984. Only eight teams competed in that tournament. Malawi lost to Algeria and Ghana, but they had an exciting 2-2 draw against Nigeria. They finished last in their group and were eliminated.

After 26 years, Malawi returned to the Africa Cup of Nations in 2010. They qualified because the games for the 2010 FIFA World Cup also counted for AFCON qualification. Even though they finished third in their group, it was enough to reach the finals.

At the 2010 tournament in Angola, Malawi surprised everyone. They beat Algeria, a team that had qualified for the World Cup, with a score of 3-0. Russel Mwafulirwa, a striker, scored one of the goals. He was one of only two players in the squad who played for a club in Europe. Malawi then lost to Angola 2-0. To reach the quarter-finals, they needed a draw in their last game. However, they lost 3-1 to Mali and were eliminated.

Malawi also qualified for the 2021 tournament. They made it to the Round of 16, which was their best performance yet!

Recent Matches and Schedule

This section shows the Malawi national football team's recent game results and upcoming matches.

      Win       Draw       Loss       Fixture

2024 Matches

Malawi  v  São Tomé and Príncipe

6 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Malawi	3–1	São Tomé and Príncipe	Lilongwe, Malawi
15:00 UTC+2	Kawonga  6' Nkhoma  14' Mphasi  78'		Silva  67'	Stadium: Bingu National Stadium Referee: Ahmed Arajiga (Tanzania)

Equatorial Guinea  v  Malawi

10 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Equatorial Guinea	1–0	Malawi	Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
14:00 UTC+1	Salvador  81'			Stadium: Estadio de Malabo Referee: Lamin Jammeh (Gambia)

2025 Matches

Malawi  v  Namibia

20 March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Malawi	0–1	Namibia	Lilongwe, Malawi
18:00 UTC+2			Tjiueza  40'	Stadium: Bingu National Stadium Attendance: 17,706 Referee: Jelly Alfred Chavani (South Africa)

Tunisia  v  Malawi

24 March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Tunisia	2–0	Malawi	Tunis, Tunisia
22:00 UTC+1				Stadium: Hammadi Agrebi Stadium

Malawi  v  Lesotho

5 June 2025 COSAFA Cup	Malawi	0–1	Lesotho	Bloemfontein, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2			Ntaitsane  87'	Stadium: Free State Stadium Referee: Patrice Milazar (Mauritius)

Namibia  v  Malawi

8 June 2025 COSAFA Cup	Namibia	0–0	Malawi	Bloemfontein, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2				Stadium: Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium Referee: Hillary Hambaba (Zambia)

Malawi  v  Angola

10 June 2025 COSAFA Cup	Malawi	0–1	Angola	Bloemfontein
15:00 UTC+2			Randy Nteka  48'	Stadium: Free State Stadium Referee: Hillary Hambaba (Zambia)

Namibia  v  Malawi

September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Namibia

v

Malawi

Malawi  v  Liberia

September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Malawi

v

Liberia

Malawi  v  Equatorial Guinea

October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Malawi

v

Equatorial Guinea

São Tomé and Príncipe  v  Malawi

October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

São Tomé and Príncipe

v

Malawi

Team Staff and Players

Coaching Staff

Here are the people who help coach and manage the Malawi national football team:

Position	Name
Head Coach	Callisto Pasuwa
1st Assistant coach	Peter Mponda
2nd Assistant coach	Macdonald Mtetemela
Goalkeeping coach	Simplex Nthala
Team manager	James Sangala
Fitness Coach	Peter Mgangira
Technical Adviser	Aubrey Nankhuni
Data Analyst	Taonga Chimodzi
Physiotherapist	Dexter Killi
Team Doctor	Dr. Levison Mwale
Kitmaster	Richard Justin Lado
Media Manager	Gomegzani Zakazaka
Chaplain	Chancy Gondwe
Assistant Technical Manager	Steve Madeira

Coaching History

Many coaches have led the Flames over the years. Some coaches were in charge for a short time, and they are listed in italics.

Current Squad Players

These are the players who were chosen for the team's matches in March 2025. The information about their games played (caps) and goals scored is correct as of November 18, 2024.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
	1GK	George Chikooka	(1997-04-04) 4 April 1997 (age 28)	5	0	Silver Strikers
	1GK	William Thole	(1998-10-02) 2 October 1998 (age 26)	5	0	Simba Bhora
	1GK	Richard Chimbamba	(1998-06-23) 23 June 1998 (age 27)	0	0	Nyasa Big Bullets
	2DF	Dennis Chembezi	(1997-01-15) 15 January 1997 (age 28)	53	0	Al-Qasim
	2DF	Precious Sambani	(1998-05-21) 21 May 1998 (age 27)	29	1	Silver Strikers
	2DF	Gomezgani Chirwa	(1996-09-25) 25 September 1996 (age 28)	27	0	Ngezi Platinum
	2DF	Nickson Mwase	(1997-02-20) 20 February 1997 (age 28)	17	0	Silver Strikers
	3MF	Alick Lungu	(2002-03-24) 24 March 2002 (age 23)	12	0	Nyasa Big Bullets
	2DF	Nickson Nyasulu	(1998-03-03) 3 March 1998 (age 27)	6	0	Platinum
	2DF	McDonald Lameck	(1998-10-10) 10 October 1998 (age 26)	4	0	Silver Strikers
	2DF	Maxwell Paipi	(2002-05-04) 4 May 2002 (age 23)	1	0	Silver Strikers
	3MF	John Banda	(1993-08-20) 20 August 1993 (age 31)	96	7	Free agent
	3MF	Charles Petro	(2001-02-08) 8 February 2001 (age 24)	32	0	Botoșani
	3MF	Lloyd Aaron	(2003-01-08) 8 January 2003 (age 22)	18	1	Nyasa Big Bullets
	3MF	Lloyd Njaliwa	(1998-05-24) 24 May 1998 (age 27)	11	0	Costa do Sol
	3MF	Yankho Singo	(2000-04-01) 1 April 2000 (age 25)	2	0	Nyasa Big Bullets
	3MF	Chawanangwa Kawonga	(2002-03-25) 25 March 2002 (age 23)	0	0	Nyasa Big Bullets
	3MF	Wongani Lungu	(2002-03-09) 9 March 2002 (age 23)	0	0	Nyasa Big Bullets
	4FW	Gabadinho Mhango	(1992-09-27) 27 September 1992 (age 32)	72	18	Moroka Swallows
	4FW	Richard Mbulu	(1994-01-25) 25 January 1994 (age 31)	43	6	Costa do Sol
	3MF	Chawa	(1995-01-05) 5 January 1995 (age 30)	31	4	Zanaco
	4FW	Lanjesi Nkhoma	(2002-05-27) 27 May 2002 (age 23)	19	4	Don Bosco
	4FW	Patrick Mwaungulu	(2002-02-18) 18 February 2002 (age 23)	16	1	Don Bosco
	4FW	Wisdom Mpinganjira	(2002-07-08) 8 July 2002 (age 23)	12	0	Mighty Wanderers
	4FW	Gaddie Chirwa	(1997-11-30) 30 November 1997 (age 27)	9	0	Mighty Wanderers
	4FW	Zebron Kalima	(2002-05-13) 13 May 2002 (age 23)	2	0	Silver Strikers
	4FW	Ephraim Kondowe	(2002-01-02) 2 January 2002 (age 23)	0	0	Nyasa Big Bullets
	4FW	Chikumbutso Salima	(2003-12-27) 27 December 2003 (age 21)	0	0	Nyasa Big Bullets

Recently Called-Up Players

These players were called up to the team in the 12 months before the current squad was chosen.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Brighton Munthali	(1997-12-11) 11 December 1997 (age 27)	37	0	Blue Eagles	v.  Senegal; 15 October 2024
GK	Innocent Nyasulu	(1997-04-16) 16 April 1997 (age 28)	2	0	Mighty Tigers	v.  Burkina Faso; 10 September 2024
GK	Austin Chirambo	(2003-12-31) 31 December 2003 (age 21)	0	0	Nyasa Big Bullets	v.  Zambia; 26 March 2024
DF	Timothy Silwimba	(1999-05-05) 5 May 1999 (age 26)	2	0	Mighty Wanderers	v.  Burkina Faso 18 November 2024
DF	Stanley Sanudi	(1995-02-02) 2 February 1995 (age 30)	93	1	Mighty Wanderers	v.  Senegal; 15 October 2024
DF	Lawrence Chaziya	(1998-08-19) 19 August 1998 (age 26)	17	2	Mighty Wanderers	v.  Senegal; 15 October 2024
DF	Yamikani Mologeni	(2002-10-22) 22 October 2002 (age 22)	0	0	Nyasa Big Bullets	v.  Senegal; 15 October 2024
DF	Blessings Mpokera	(2002-04-02) 2 April 2002 (age 23)	2	0	Nyasa Big Bullets	v.  Equatorial Guinea; 10 June 2024
DF	Alex Kambilinya		0	0	Wakawaka Tigers	v.  Equatorial Guinea; 10 June 2024
DF	Daniel Chimbalanga	(1999-01-19) 19 January 1999 (age 26)	3	0	MAFCO	v.  Zambia; 26 March 2024
DF	Joseph Balakasi	(2002-04-12) 12 April 2002 (age 23)	1	0	Dedza Dynamos	v.  Zambia; 26 March 2024
DF	Chimwemwe Nkhoma		0	0	Mighty Wanderers	v.  Zambia; 26 March 2024
MF	Chimwemwe Idana	(1998-09-07) 7 September 1998 (age 26)	57	0	Silver Strikers	v.  Senegal; 15 October 2024
MF	Robert Saizi	(2003-07-05) 5 July 2003 (age 22)	12	1	Nyasa Big Bullets	v.  Senegal; 15 October 2024
MF	Chifundo Mphasi	(2004-10-17) 17 October 2004 (age 20)	15	2	Shamuel	v.  Senegal; 11 October 2024PRE
MF	Patrick Macheso	(1997-05-07) 7 May 1997 (age 28)	2	0	Silver Strikers	v.  Burkina Faso; 10 September 2024
MF	Crispin Mapemba	(2004-11-09) 9 November 2004 (age 20)	2	0	Nyasa Big Bullets	v.  Equatorial Guinea; 10 June 2024
MF	Francisco Madinga	(2000-02-11) 11 February 2000 (age 25)	14	0	Mighty Wanderers	v.  Zambia; 26 March 2024
FW	Zeliat Nkhoma	(1993-10-22) 22 October 1993 (age 31)	3	1	Kamuzu Barracks	v.  Burkina Faso 18 November 2024
FW	Christopher Kumwembe	(1997-01-21) 21 January 1997 (age 28)	9	1	Mighty Wanderers	v.  Equatorial Guinea; 10 June 2024
FW	Olson Kanjira	(1995-03-29) 29 March 1995 (age 30)	2	0	Kamuzu Barracks	v.  Zambia; 26 March 2024
FW	Clement Nyondo	(1998-08-08) 8 August 1998 (age 26)	0	0	Mighty Wanderers	v.  Zambia; 26 March 2024

Team Records

This section shows some of the top players in Malawi's football history. Players whose names are in bold are still playing for the team.

Most Games Played

These players have played the most matches for the Malawi national team.

Top Goal Scorers

These players have scored the most goals for the Malawi national team.

Tournament History

FIFA World Cup Appearances

Malawi has tried to qualify for the FIFA World Cup many times but has not yet made it to the main tournament.

FIFA World Cup record											Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Squad		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1966	Not a FIFA member										Not a FIFA member
1970	Did not enter										Did not enter
1974
1978	Did not qualify										2	0	0	2	0	5
1982											2	0	1	1	1	4
1986											4	2	1	1	5	2
1990											8	2	3	3	6	6
1994	Withdrew										Withdrew
1998	Did not qualify										2	0	0	2	0	4
2002											8	1	2	5	6	12
2006											12	2	4	6	15	27
2010											12	5	1	6	18	16
2014											6	1	4	1	4	5
2018											2	1	0	1	1	2
2022											8	2	1	5	3	12
2026	To be determined										6	2	0	4	4	6
2030											To be determined
2034
Total		0/14									72	18	17	37	63	101

Africa Cup of Nations Appearances

Malawi has played in the Africa Cup of Nations three times.

Africa Cup of Nations record											Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	Squad		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1965	Not affiliated to CAF										Not affiliated to CAF
1968
1970
1972
1974	Did not enter										Did not enter
1976	Did not qualify										2	0	1	1	4	9
1978											2	0	1	1	3	4
1980											4	1	0	3	6	7
1982											2	0	1	1	1	2
1984	Group stage	7th	3	0	1	2	2	6	Squad		4	3	1	0	6	2
1986	Did not qualify										2	0	2	0	2	2
1988											2	0	0	2	1	4
1990											4	1	2	1	5	4
1992											4	0	1	3	3	9
1994											6	2	1	3	4	7
1996											6	1	3	2	6	7
1998											6	3	0	3	9	10
2000											2	1	0	1	2	2
2002											2	0	0	2	2	5
2004											4	1	0	3	3	10
2006											12	2	4	6	15	27
2008											4	1	0	3	2	6
2010	Group stage	11th	3	1	0	2	4	5	Squad		6	4	0	2	14	5
2012	Did not qualify										8	2	6	0	13	8
2013											4	1	0	3	4	6
2015											6	2	1	3	5	9
2017											6	2	1	3	5	9
2019											6	1	2	3	2	6
2021	Round of 16	13th	4	1	1	2	3	4	Squad		6	3	1	2	4	5
2023	Did not qualify										6	1	2	3	4	10
2025											6	1	1	4	6	11
2027	To be determined										To be determined
2029
Total	Round of 16	3/35	10	2	2	6	15		122		33	31	58	131	186

African Games Football

Malawi has also competed in the football tournament at the African Games.

Year	Result	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1965	Did not qualify
1973	Did not qualify
1978	4th	5	0	0	5	2	11
1987	3rd	5	3	1	1	8	4
Total	2/4	10	3	1	6	10	15

Head-to-Head Records

This table shows how Malawi has performed against other national teams. The results are updated as of June 10, 2025.

      More wins than losses       As many wins as losses       Fewer wins than losses

Opponent	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
Algeria	7	2	1	4	6	13	−7
Angola	10	3	3	4	8	11	−3
Bangladesh	1	0	1	0	1	1	0
Benin	2	1	0	1	1	1	0
Botswana	25	12	8	5	47	21	+26
Burkina Faso	8	1	2	5	8	13	−5
Burundi	5	0	3	2	6	9	−3
Cameroon	11	1	4	6	6	19	−13
Chad	6	3	1	2	15	10	+5
Comoros	5	4	0	1	7	3	+4
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	12	3	2	7	8	20	−12
Eritrea	1	1	0	0	3	2	+1
Eswatini	28	11	12	5	41	22	+19
Ethiopia	14	4	7	3	13	14	–1
Equatorial Guinea	1	0	0	1	0	1	–1
Gabon	1	1	0	0	2	0	+2
Ghana	6	0	1	5	0	17	−17
Guinea	10	1	4	5	9	14	−5
Ivory Coast	8	1	1	6	8	17	−9
Kenya	48	19	18	11	61	50	+11
Lesotho	24	13	6	5	46	17	+29
Liberia	4	1	1	2	1	2	−1
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	21	12	5	4	33	19	+14
Morocco	11	1	3	7	4	17	−13
Mozambique	37	13	14	10	37	34	+3
Namibia	18	4	5	9	16	22	−6
Nigeria	8	0	2	6	9	20	−11
Réunion	1	1	0	0	8	2	+6
Rwanda	9	5	2	2	16	9	+7
São Tomé and Príncipe	1	1	0	0	3	1	+2
Senegal	7	1	1	5	6	14	−8
Seychelles	2	2	0	0	5	0	+5
Sierra Leone	4	3	1	0	14	5	+9
Somalia	3	3	0	0	6	2	+4
South Africa	14	1	4	9	5	20	−15
South Sudan	3	2	0	1	2	2	0
Sudan	3	2	1	0	6	1	+5
Tanzania	56	17	25	14	62	54	+8
Togo	3	2	1	0	3	1	+2
Tunisia	9	2	3	4	8	19	−11
Uganda	32	9	9	14	33	39	−6
Yemen	1	0	0	1	0	1	−1
Zambia	82	20	17	45	70	173	−103
Zanzibar	15	12	2	1	34	10	+24
Zimbabwe	67	19	23	25	64	85	−21
Total	678	224	199	255	787	874	−87

Team Honours and Awards

Continental Awards

• African Games¹
  • Bronze medal (1): 1987

Regional Awards

• CECAFA Cup
  • Champions (3): 1978, 1979, 1988
  • Runners-up (3): 1975, 1984, 1989
  • Third place (3): 1977, 1980, 1985

1. This competition is organized by the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa. FIFA does not officially recognize it.

See also

In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Malaui para niños