Malawi national football team facts for kids

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Malawi

Nickname(s)

Flames

Association

FAM

Confederation

CAF (Africa)

Sub-confederation

COSAFA (Southern Africa)

Head coach

Mario Marinică

Captain

Limbikani Mzava

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) [1]

Biggest win

Malawi 8–1 Botswana

(Malawi; 13 July 1968)

Malawi 8–1 Djibouti

(Blantyre, Malawi; 31 May 2008)

Biggest defeat

Nyasaland 0–12 Gold Coast

(Malawi; 15 October 1962)

Nyasaland 0–12 Ghana

(Malawi; 12 December 1965)

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 Malawi in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Malawi. Before 1966, they were known as the Nyasaland national football team.

They have qualified for three Africa Cup of Nations, in 1984, 2010 and 2021. They won the CECAFA Cup in 1978, 1979 and 1988.

Recent results and forthcoming fixtures
- 2021
- 2022
- 2023
Coaching staff
- Coaching history
Current squad
- Recent call-ups
Records
- Most appearances
- Top goalscorers
Competition records
Head-to-head record
See also

Recent results and forthcoming fixtures

2021

2022 FIFA World Cup qualification 13 November	Malawi	0–4	Cameroon	Johannesburg, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2		https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/qatar2022/qualifiers/caf/match-center/400209479	Aboubakar 22' (pen.) Zambo Anguissa 42' Bassogog 85', 87'	Stadium: Orlando Stadium Referee: Issa Sy (Senegal)

2022 FIFA World Cup qualification 16 November	Mozambique	1–0	Malawi	Cotonou, Benin
14:00 UTC+1	Mzava 51' (o.g.)	https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/qatar2022/qualifiers/caf/match-center/400209478		Stadium: Stade de l'Amitié Referee: Hassan Mohamed Hagi (Somalia)

Friendly 31 December	Comoros	1–2	Malawi	Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
	Selemani 45'	Report	Mhango 25' Muyaba 38'	Stadium: Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium

2022

2021 Africa Cup of Nations 10 January	Guinea	1–0	Malawi	Bafoussam, Cameroon
	Sylla 35'	https://www.cafonline.com/total-africa-cup-of-nations/matches/2021/2243257/match-report		Stadium: Kouekong Stadium Referee: Daniel Nili Laryea (Ghana)

2021 Africa Cup of Nations 14 January	Malawi	2–1	Zimbabwe	Bafoussam, Cameroon
17:00	Mhango 43', 58'	https://www.cafonline.com/total-africa-cup-of-nations/matches/2021/2243259/match-report	Wadi 38'	Stadium: Kouekong Stadium Referee: Beida Dahane (Mauritania)

2021 Africa Cup of Nations 18 January	Malawi	0–0	Senegal	Bafoussam, Cameroon
		https://www.cafonline.com/total-africa-cup-of-nations/matches/2021/2243261/match-report		Stadium: Kouekong Stadium Referee: Blaise Yuven Ngwa (Cameroon)

2021 Africa Cup of Nations 25 January	Morocco	2–1	Malawi	Yaoundé, Cameroon
20:00	En-Nesyri 45+2' Hakimi 70'	https://www.cafonline.com/total-africa-cup-of-nations/matches/2021/2243291/match-report	Mhango 7'	Stadium: Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium Referee: Pacifique Ndabihawenimana (Burundi)

2023 AFCON qualification 5 June	Malawi	2–1	Ethiopia	Lilongwe, Malawi
18:00	Mhango 10' (pen.), 34' (pen.)	https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/06/02/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/malawi/ethiopia/3782997/	Nassir 68' (pen.)	Stadium: Bingu National Stadium Referee: Abongile Tom (South Africa)

2023 AFCON qualification 9 June	Guinea	1–0	Malawi	Conakry, Guinea
19:00	Keïta 90+1'	https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/06/06/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/guinea/malawi/3782998/		Stadium: General Lansana Conté Stadium Referee: Lamin Jammeh (Gambia)

2022 COSAFA Cup 6 July	Lesotho	2–1	Malawi	Durban, South Africa
	Mkandawire 14' (o.g.) Makateng 56'		Msowoya 88'	Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium

2022 COSAFA Cup 8 July	Malawi	1–1	Eswatini	Durban, South Africa
	Myaba 46'		Ndzinisa 90+2' (pen.)	Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium

2022 COSAFA Cup 10 July	Mauritius	0–2	Malawi	KwaMashu, South Africa
			Sanudi 54' Mhone 86'	Stadium: Princess Magogo Stadium

2023 AFCON qualification September	Egypt	v	Malawi	Egypt
--:-- UTC+2		https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/09/19/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/egypt/malawi/3783000/

2023 AFCON qualification September	Malawi	v	Egypt	Malawi
--:-- UTC+2		https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/09/27/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/malawi/egypt/3783002/

2023

2023 AFCON qualification March	Ethiopia	v	Malawi
		https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/03/20/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/ethiopia/malawi/3783005/

2023 AFCON qualification March	Malawi	v	Guinea
		https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/03/28/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/malawi/guinea/3783006/

Coaching staff

Position	Name
Head coach	Mario Marinică
1st Assistant coach	Patrick Mabedi
2nd Assistant coach	Franco Ndawa
Goalkeeping coach	Victor Mpande
Sports psychologist	Clwyd Jones
Coach	Peter Mgangira
Coach	Enos Chatama
Data analyst	Lawrence Waya
Physiotherapist	Chikondi Mandalasi
Doctor	Dr. Gift Logomeka
Kit manager	Richard Justin
Technical manager	James Sangala
Assistant technical manager	Major Rodgers Mhongo

Coaching history

Caretaker coaches are listed in italics

Jack Chamangwana (1998–99)
Young Chimodzi (1999–00)
Kim Splidsboel (2000–02)
Alan Gillett (2003)
Edington Ng'onamo (2003–04)
John Kaputa (2004)
Yassin Osman (2004–05)
Michael Hennigan (2005)
Burkhard Ziese (2005–06)
Kinnah Phiri (2006–07)
Stephen Constantine (2007–08)
Kinnah Phiri (2009–12)
Edington Ng'onamo (2012–13)
Tom Saintfiet (2013)
Young Chimodzi (2014–15)
Ernest Mtawali (2015–16)
Ramadhan Nsanzurwimo (2016–17)
Gerald Phiri Sr. (2017)
Ronny Van Geneugden (2017–19)
Meke Mwase (2019–2021)
Mario Marinică (2021–2022)

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches.

Match dates: 5 and 9 June 2022
Opposition: Ethiopia and Guinea
Caps and goals correct as of: 25 January 2022, after the match against Morocco

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1GK	Ernest Kakhobwe	(1993-06-26) 26 June 1993 (age 30)	27	0	Nyasa Big Bullets
1GK	Clever Nkungula		0	0	Nyasa Big Bullets
1GK	Charles Thomu	(1999-01-24) 24 January 1999 (age 24)	2	0	Silver Strikers

2DF	Lawrence Chaziya	(1998-08-19) 19 August 1998 (age 25)	4	0	Al-Hussein
2DF	Dennis Chembezi	(1997-01-15) 15 January 1997 (age 26)	30	0	Polokwane City
2DF	Gomezgani Chirwa	(1996-09-25) 25 September 1996 (age 27)	19	0	Nyasa Big Bullets
2DF	Mark Fodya	(1997-12-22) 22 December 1997 (age 25)	5	0	Silver Strikers
2DF	Alick Lungu	(2002-03-24) 24 March 2002 (age 21)	0	0	Nyasa Big Bullets
2DF	Blessings Mpokera		0	0	Nyasa Big Bullets
2DF	Paul Ndhlovu	(1992-02-18) 18 February 1992 (age 31)	1	0	Malawi Armed Forces College
2DF	Stanley Sanudi	(1995-02-02) 2 February 1995 (age 28)	67	0	Mighty Wanderers

3MF	John Banda	(1993-08-20) 20 August 1993 (age 30)	80	7	Songo
3MF	Chikoti Chirwa	(1992-09-19) 19 September 1992 (age 31)	29	2	Red Lions
3MF	Chimwemwe Idana	(1998-09-07) 7 September 1998 (age 25)	31	0	Nyasa Big Bullets
3MF	Francisco Madinga	(2000-02-11) 11 February 2000 (age 23)	11	0	Dila Gori
3MF	Micium Mhone	(1992-01-19) 19 January 1992 (age 31)	50	4	Blue Eagles
3MF	Charles Petro	(2001-02-08) 8 February 2001 (age 22)	25	0	Sheriff Tiraspol
3MF	Gerald Phiri Jr.	(1993-06-08) 8 June 1993 (age 30)	49	11	Al-Hilal Club

4FW	Peter Banda	(2000-09-22) 22 September 2000 (age 23)	18	0	Simba
4FW	Yamikani Chester	(1994-12-20) 20 December 1994 (age 28)	32	0	Mighty Wanderers
4FW	Stain Davie	(1997-09-23) 23 September 1997 (age 26)	1	0	Silver Strikers
4FW	Gabadinho Mhango	(1992-09-27) 27 September 1992 (age 31)	61	15	AmaZulu
4FW	Chiukepo Msowoya	(1988-09-23) 23 September 1988 (age 35)	82	21	Mighty Wanderers
4FW	Khuda Muyaba	(1993-12-26) 26 December 1993 (age 29)	22	4	Polokwane City

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up in the last 12 months.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	William Thole	(1998-10-02) 2 October 1998 (age 25)	5	0	Mighty Wanderers	v. Morocco, 25 January 2022
GK	Brighton Munthali	(1997-12-11) 11 December 1997 (age 25)	21	0	Silver Strikers	2021 Africa Cup of Nations ^RES

DF	Limbikani Mzava	(1993-11-12) 12 November 1993 (age 30)	64	2	Free agent	v. Morocco, 25 January 2022
DF	Peter Cholopi	(1996-08-19) 19 August 1996 (age 27)	30	0	Mighty Wanderers	v. Morocco, 25 January 2022
DF	Norchard Chimbalanga		0	0	MAFCO	2021 Africa Cup of Nations ^RES
DF	Francis Mulimbika	(1993-03-27) 27 March 1993 (age 30)	31	0	Mighty Wanderers	vs. Mozambique, 16 November 2021
DF	Nickson Mwase	(1997-02-20) 20 February 1997 (age 26)	2	0	Silver Strikers	vs. Mozambique, 16 November 2021
DF	Nickson Nyasulu	(1998-03-03) 3 March 1998 (age 25)	4	0	Mighty Wanderers	vs. Mozambique, 7 September 2021

MF	Tawonga Chimodzi	(1988-08-26) 26 August 1988 (age 35)	21	0	Omonia Aradippou	vs. Mozambique, 16 November 2021
MF	Mike Mkwate	(1988-05-12) 12 May 1988 (age 35)	7	0	Polokwane City	vs. Mozambique, 16 November 2021
MF	Duncan Nyoni	(1998-05-18) 18 May 1998 (age 25)	7	0	Silver Strikers	vs. Côte d'Ivoire, 11 October 2021

FW	Robin Ngalande	(1992-11-02) 2 November 1992 (age 31)	46	2	Saint George	v. Morocco, 25 January 2022
FW	Richard Mbulu	(1994-01-25) 25 January 1994 (age 29)	38	5	Al-Najaf	v. Morocco, 25 January 2022
FW	Zebron Kalima	(2002-05-13) 13 May 2002 (age 21)	2	0	Silver Strikers	v. Morocco, 25 January 2022
FW	Hassan Kajoke	(1997-12-07) 7 December 1997 (age 26)	6	2	Big Bullets	vs. Mozambique, 16 November 2021
FW	Lloyd Njaliwa	(1998-05-24) 24 May 1998 (age 25)	0	0	Moyale Barracks	vs. Mozambique, 16 November 2021
FW	Vincent Nyangulu	(1995-07-04) 4 July 1995 (age 28)	4	0	Mighty Wanderers	vs. Côte d'Ivoire, 11 October 2021

Records

Players in bold are still active with Malawi.

Most appearances

Rank	Player	Caps	Goals	Career
1	Young Chimodzi	159	13	1979–1995
2	Jack Chamangwana	133	10	1975–1985
3	Lawrence Waya	129	28	1982–1996
4	Harry Waya	126	8	1977–1987
5	Kinnah Phiri	117	71	1973–1981
6	Gilbert Chirwa	112	4	1981–1993
7	Jonathan Billie	110	8	1978–1987
8	Joseph Kamwendo	104	6	2003–2017
9	Felix Nyirongo	103	2	1986–1997
10	Peter Mponda	102	1	1998–2011

Top goalscorers

Rank	Player	Goals	Caps	Ratio	Career
1	Kinnah Phiri	71	117	0.61	1973–1981
2	Frank Sinalo	28	75	0.37	1981–1989
2	Lawrence Waya	28	129	0.22	1982–1996
4	Stock Dandize	23	70	0.33	1977–1983
5	Yasin Osman	22	67	0.33	1966–1975
5	Essau Kanyenda	22	72	0.31	1999–2015
7	Chiukepo Msowoya	21	81	0.26	2006–
8	Peterkins Kayira	18	68	0.26	1983–1989
9	Barnet Gondwe	17	66	0.26	1976–1981
10	Spy Msiska	15	58	0.26	1971–1979
10	Gabadinho Mhango	15	61	0.25	2012–

Competition records

FIFA World Cup

Final										Qualification
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Squad	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1966	Did not enter									Did not enter
1970
1974
1978	Did not qualify									2	0	0	2	0	5
1982										2	0	1	1	1	4
1986										4	2	0	2	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	3	2	3	4	7
2026	To be determined									To be determined
Total										66	17	17	32	60	90

Africa Cup of Nations

Final										Qualification
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	To be determined									To be determined
2025	To be determined									To be determined
Total			10	2	2	6	9	15		110	31	28	51	121	165

African Games

Year	Round	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		10	3	1	6	10	15

Head-to-head record

As of 17 November 2019 after match against Uganda

Opponent	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
Algeria	7	2	1	4	6	13	−7
Angola	9	3	3	3	8	10	−2
Benin	2	1	0	1	1	1	0
Botswana	25	12	8	5	47	21	+26
Burkina Faso	4	0	1	3	3	7	−4
Burundi	3	0	2	1	4	6	−2
Cameroon	9	1	4	4	6	13	−7
Chad	6	3	1	2	15	10	+5
Comoros	4	3	0	1	5	3	+2
Congo	2	0	0	2	1	3	−2
Djibouti	4	4	0	0	17	1	+16
Congo DR	10	3	3	4	8	9	−1
Egypt	10	3	2	5	8	14	−6
Eritrea	1	1	0	0	3	2	+1
Eswatini	27	11	11	5	40	21	+19
Ethiopia	11	3	6	2	11	9	+2
Gabon	1	1	0	0	2	0	+2
Ghana	6	0	1	5	0	17	−17
Guinea	7	1	3	3	7	10	−3
Côte d'Ivoire	6	1	1	4	7	12	−5
Kenya	47	19	18	10	61	46	+15
Lesotho	20	13	4	3	43	12	+31
Liberia	3	0	1	2	0	2	−2
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	20	11	5	4	31	19	+12
Morocco	10	1	3	6	3	15	−12
Mozambique	31	12	11	8	34	29	+5
Namibia	15	4	3	8	15	20	−5
Nigeria	8	0	2	6	9	20	−11
Réunion	1	1	0	0	8	2	+6
Rwanda	9	5	2	2	16	9	+7
Senegal	3	1	0	2	5	7	−2
Seychelles	1	1	0	0	3	0	+3
Sierra Leone	4	3	1	0	14	5	+9
Somalia	3	3	0	0	6	2	+4
South Africa	13	1	3	9	5	20	−15
South Sudan	2	1	0	1	1	2	−1
Sudan	3	2	1	0	6	1	+5
Tanzania	55	17	25	13	62	52	+10
Togo	3	2	1	0	3	1	+2
Tunisia	7	2	3	2	8	16	−8
Uganda	31	8	9	14	32	39	−7
Yemen	1	0	0	1	0	1	−1
Zambia	79	19	17	43	68	170	−102
Zanzibar	15	12	2	1	34	10	+24
Zimbabwe	64	18	21	25	60	82	−22
Total	620	212	182	226	746	798	−52