Malawi national football team

Malawi
Nickname(s)	The Flames
Association	Football Association of Malawi
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	COSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coach	Patrick Mabedi
Captain	John Banda
Most caps	Young Chimodzi (159)
Top scorer	Kinnah Phiri (71)
Home stadium	Bingu National Stadium
FIFA code	MWI
FIFA ranking
Current	134 1 (24 October 2024)
Highest	53 (December 1992)
Lowest	138 (December 2007, March 2008)
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)
Four Nations Football Tournament
Appearances	1 (first in 2024)
Best result	Fourth place (2024)
Medal record
COSAFA Cup
CECAFA Cup

The Malawi national football team (Chichewa: Timu ya dziko la Malawi) represents Malawi in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Malawi. Before 1966, it was known as the Nyasaland national football team.

Known as the Flames, Malawi has qualified for three Africa Cup of Nations, in 1984, 2010 and 2021. They also won the CECAFA Cup in 1978, 1979 and 1988 and finished fourth in the 2024 Four Nations Football Tournament.

History

Coaches

The first full-time coach of the Malawi national football team was Ron Meades. The British Council arranged for his appointment through the English Football Association to coach the team for the Republic Celebrations, playing Madagascar and Zambia. Ray Batchelor was coach for four years from 11 November 1967 to 10 October 1971, guiding the team in 23 friendly matches and two Olympic Games. Players during this time included future coaches in Henry Moyo, Brian Griffin, and Yasin Osman. Other coaches included Brazilian Wander Moreira, British Ted Powell, and the first locally-born coach, Alex Masanjala, who was appointed as an interim before Henry Moyo. Moyo was the first former national player to coach the Flames, and stayed in the position for five years. As of January 2019, only nine coaches had been in charge for more than 20 games. The most successful coaches were Powell, Moyo, and Kim Splidsboel (2000–2002) from Denmark.^[4]^[5]^[6]

Tournaments

Malawi first qualified for an African Cup of Nations in 1984, when only eight teams competed in the tournament in Ivory Coast. After a 3-0 defeat against Algeria, World Cup participants in 1982 and 1986, the Malawi drew 2-2 in the second game against eventual finalists Nigeria. With a 0–1 loss against Ghana, Malawi ended the group stage with 1 point at the bottom of the table and was eliminated from the tournament.^{[citation needed]}

After 26 years, Malawi took part in an Africa Cup of Nations again in 2010. The team benefited from the fact that the continental elimination round for the 2010 FIFA World Cup also served as the qualifying round for AFCON. In the group matches of the third round, Malawi, third place behind Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso and with a record of only four points and 4–11 goal difference, was enough to make it to the continental finals.^{[citation needed]}

At the tournament in Angola, Kinnah Phiri's team caused a big surprise. In the first group game, Malawi defeated Algeria, which had qualified for the World Cup, 3-0. One of the goalscorers was striker Russel Mwafulirwa, who at the time was under contract for the Swedish first division club IFK Norrköping and was thus one of only two players in the 23-man squad active in Europe. Malawi lost the second game against hosts Angola, 2-0.^{[citation needed]}

For Malawi to have reached the quarter-finals for the first time, a draw in the last group game would have been enough. However, the team lost 3-1 to Mali. After just three minutes, the Malawians were 2-0 down, a goal from Mwafulirwa did nothing to avert the team's elimination.^{[citation needed]}

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Win Draw Loss Fixture

2023

17 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Liberia	0–1	Malawi	Paynesville, Liberia
16:00 UTC±0		Report	Mphasi 78'	Stadium: Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex Referee: Antoine Effa (Cameroon)

21 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Malawi	0–1	Tunisia	Lilongwe, Malawi
15:00 UTC+2		Report	Msakni 87' (pen.)	Stadium: Bingu National Stadium Attendance: 23,000 Referee: Aklesso Gnama (Togo)

2024

23 March Friendly	Malawi	0–4	Kenya	Lilongwe, Malawi
		Report		Stadium: Bingu National Stadium

26 March Friendly	Malawi	1–2	Zambia	Lilongwe, Malawi
		Report		Stadium: Bingu National Stadium

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'	Report	Silva 67'	Stadium: Bingu National Stadium Referee: Ahmed Arajiga (Tanzania)

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

Coaching staff

^[7]

Position	Name
Head Coach	Patrick Mabedi
1st Assistant coach	Deklerk Msakakuona
2nd Assistant coach	Eliya Kananji
Goalkeeping coach	Victor Mphande
Team manager	James Sangala
Fitness Coach	Peter Mgangira
Technical Adviser	Aubrey Nankhuni
Data Analyst	Lawrence Waya
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

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 (2021–2023)
Patrick Mabedi (2023–present)

Players

Current squad

The following local-based players were named to the provisional squad for the four-nations tournament friendly matches against Kenya, Zambia and Zimbabwe in March 2024.^[8]

Caps and goals correct as of: 21 November 2023, after the match against Tunisia.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1GK	Innocent Nyasulu	(1997-04-16) 16 April 1997 (age 27)	1	0	Mighty Tigers
1GK	Austin Chirambo	(2003-12-31) 31 December 2003 (age 20)	0	0	Nyasa Big Bullets
1GK	George Chikooka		0	0	Silver Strikers

2DF	Stanley Sanudi	(1995-02-02) 2 February 1995 (age 29)	86	1	Mighty Wanderers
2DF	Lawrence Chaziya	(1998-08-19) 19 August 1998 (age 26)	14	1	Mighty Wanderers
2DF	Nickson Mwase	(1997-02-20) 20 February 1997 (age 27)	9	0	Silver Strikers
2DF	Daniel Chimbalanga	(1999-01-19) 19 January 1999 (age 25)	3	0	MAFCO
2DF	Blessings Mpokera	(2002-04-02) 2 April 2002 (age 22)	2	0	Nyasa Big Bullets
2DF	Mark Lameck		0	0	Silver Strikers
2DF	Chimwemwe Nkhoma		0	0	Mighty Wanderers
2DF	Yamikani Mologeni		0	0	Nyasa Big Bullets
2DF	Alex Kambilinya		0	0	Wakawaka Tigers
2DF	Joseph Balakasi		0	0	Dedza Dynamos

3MF	Chimwemwe Idana	(1998-09-07) 7 September 1998 (age 26)	50	0	Silver Strikers
3MF	Francisco Madinga	(2000-02-11) 11 February 2000 (age 24)	14	0	Mighty Wanderers
3MF	Lanjesi Nkhoma	(2002-05-27) 27 May 2002 (age 22)	10	2	Nyasa Big Bullets
3MF	Lloyd Aron	(2003-01-08) 8 January 2003 (age 21)	9	0	Nyasa Big Bullets
3MF	Patrick Mwaungulu	(2002-02-18) 18 February 2002 (age 22)	8	1	Nyasa Big Bullets
3MF	Wisdom Mpinganjira	(2002-07-08) 8 July 2002 (age 22)	3	0	Mighty Wanderers
3MF	Chrispin Mapemba		2	0	Nyasa Big Bullets
3MF	Yankho Singo	(2000-04-01) 1 April 2000 (age 24)	0	0	Nyasa Big Bullets
3MF	Wongani Lungu		0	0	Ekwendeni Hammers
3MF	Patrick Macheso	(1997-05-07) 7 May 1997 (age 27)	1	0	Silver Strikers

4FW	Christopher Kumwembe	(1997-01-21) 21 January 1997 (age 27)	9	1	Mighty Wanderers
4FW	Olson Kanjira	(1995-03-29) 29 March 1995 (age 29)	2	0	Kamuzu Barracks
3MF	Ephraim Kondowe	(2002-01-02) 2 January 2002 (age 22)	0	0	Nyasa Big Bullets
3MF	Clement Nyondo		0	0	Mighty Wanderers

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up in 12 months preceding the above draft.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Brighton Munthali	(1997-12-11) 11 December 1997 (age 26)	35	0	Blue Eagles	v. Tunisia; 21 November 2023
GK	Cyrus Mchawa	(1997-04-16) April 16, 1997 (age 27)	1	0	Mighty Tigers	2023 COSAFA Cup
GK	Harold Mwase	(1998-11-28) 28 November 1998 (age 25)	0	0	Nyasa Big Bullets	2023 COSAFA Cup

DF	Dennis Chembezi	(1997-01-15) 15 January 1997 (age 27)	44	0	Black Leopards	v. Tunisia; 21 November 2023
DF	Simeon Mwenechanya	(1999-01-19) 19 January 1999 (age 25)	3	0	MAFCO	2023 COSAFA Cup
DF	Christopher Chikoti	(1999-01-16) 16 January 1999 (age 25)	0	0	Blue Eagles	2023 COSAFA Cup

MF	John Banda	(1993-08-20) 20 August 1993 (age 31)	93	7	Songo	v. Equatorial Guinea; 10 June 2024
MF	Chifundo Mphasi	(2004-10-17) 17 October 2004 (age 20)	8	1	Shamuel	v. Tunisia; 21 November 2023
MF	Robert Saizi	(2003-07-05) 5 July 2003 (age 21)	6	1	Nyasa Big Bullets	v. Tunisia; 21 November 2023
MF	Frank Willard	(2001-05-09) 9 May 2001 (age 23)	5	0	Nyasa Big Bullets	v. Liberia; 17 November 2023
MF	Alick Lungu	(2002-03-24) 24 March 2002 (age 22)	10	0	Nyasa Big Bullets	2023 COSAFA Cup
MF	Julius Phiri	(2003-07-05) 5 July 2003 (age 21)	3	0	Nyasa Big Bullets	2023 COSAFA Cup
MF	Kenneth Mhango	(1998-06-06) 6 June 1998 (age 26)	2	0	Nyasa Big Bullets	2023 COSAFA Cup
MF	Jonathan Mchulu	(2003-12-27) 27 December 2003 (age 20)	2	0	Bangwe All Stars	2023 COSAFA Cup
MF	Anthony Chisale	(1997-05-07) 7 May 1997 (age 27)	1	0	Silver Strikers	2023 COSAFA Cup
MF	Goodwin Kamuzu	(2003-11-28) 28 November 2003 (age 20)	1	0	Ekwendeni Hammers	2023 COSAFA Cup
MF	Dennis Chirwa	(1998-01-29) 29 January 1998 (age 26)	0	0	Silver Strikers	2023 COSAFA Cup

FW	Gabadinho Mhango	(1992-09-27) 27 September 1992 (age 32)	68	17	Moroka Swallows	v. Zambia; 26 March 2024
FW	Chawanangwa Kawonga	(1995-01-05) 5 January 1995 (age 29)	21	2	Zanaco	2023 COSAFA Cup
FW	Gaddie Chirwa	(1997-11-30) 30 November 1997 (age 26)	8	0	Mighty Wanderers	2023 COSAFA Cup

Records

As of 18 November 2024^[9]

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
	Essau Kanyenda	22	72	0.31	1999–2015
	Chiukepo Msowoya	22	89	0.25	2006–2023
8	Peterkins Kayira	18	68	0.26	1983–1989
8	Gabadinho Mhango	18	72	0.25	2012–present
10	Barnet Gondwe	17	66	0.26	1976–1981

Competition records

FIFA World Cup

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	Did not enter									Did not enter
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	2	1	5	3	12
2026	To be determined									4	2	0	2	4	3
2030										To be determined
2034										To be determined
Total		0/14								70	18	16	36	63	98

Africa Cup of Nations

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	To be determined									To be determined
2027
2029
Total	Round of 16	3/34	10	2	2	6	9	15		116	32	30	54	125	175

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 record

As of 14 November 2024 after match against Burundi^[10]

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	9	3	3	3	8	10	−2
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	7	0	2	5	5	13	−8
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	23	13	6	4	46	16	+30
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	16	4	4	8	16	21	−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
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	8	2	3	3	8	17	−9
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	672	223	198	251	784	869	−85

Honours

Continental

Football at the African Games
- Bronze medal (1): 1987

Regional

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

References

^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 24 October 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
^ ^a ^b "Malawi - List of International Matches". Archived from the original on 8 February 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 14 November 2024. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
^ "Throw Back Thursday with Mario Malawi Coaches Records... Compiled by Louis Alec Mario Antoine". Facebook. 17 January 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
^ Antoine, M. (2022). A History of Nyasaland and Malawi Football: Volume 1 1935 to 1969. AuthorHouse UK. p. 1-PA2. ISBN 978-1-6655-9839-2. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
^ "Splidsboel heads home". BBC SPORT. 27 November 2002. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
^ "Mabedi gets down to work as he names provisional squad for Ethiopia Match, Football Association of Malawi May 19th, 2023". 19 May 2023. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
^ "MABEDI NAMES PROVISIONAL SQUAD FOR 4 NATIONS TOURNEY". Football Association of Malawi. 1 March 2024.
^ Mamrud, Roberto. "Malawi – Record International Players". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 24 March 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
^ "World Football Elo Ratings: Malawi". Elo Ratings. Archived from the original on 18 July 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2017.

External links

Football Association of Malawi official website
Malawi at CAF
Malawi at FIFA

[FIFA_World_Rankings-1] "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 24 October 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2024.

[rsssf-2] "Malawi - List of International Matches". Archived from the original on 8 February 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.

[World_Football_Elo_Ratings-3] Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 14 November 2024. Retrieved 14 November 2024.

[4] "Throw Back Thursday with Mario Malawi Coaches Records... Compiled by Louis Alec Mario Antoine". Facebook. 17 January 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2024.

[5] Antoine, M. (2022). A History of Nyasaland and Malawi Football: Volume 1 1935 to 1969. AuthorHouse UK. p. 1-PA2. ISBN 978-1-6655-9839-2. Retrieved 4 January 2024.

[6] "Splidsboel heads home". BBC SPORT. 27 November 2002. Retrieved 4 January 2024.

[7] "Mabedi gets down to work as he names provisional squad for Ethiopia Match, Football Association of Malawi May 19th, 2023". 19 May 2023. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.

[8] "MABEDI NAMES PROVISIONAL SQUAD FOR 4 NATIONS TOURNEY". Football Association of Malawi. 1 March 2024.

[RSSSF-9] Mamrud, Roberto. "Malawi – Record International Players". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 24 March 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.

[10] "World Football Elo Ratings: Malawi". Elo Ratings. Archived from the original on 18 July 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2017.

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v t e National football teams of Africa (CAF)
North Africa (UNAF)	Algeria Egypt Libya Morocco Tunisia
West Africa (WAFU)	Benin Burkina Faso Cape Verde Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Ivory Coast Liberia Mali Mauritania Niger Nigeria Senegal Sierra Leone Togo
East Africa (CECAFA)	Burundi Djibouti Eritrea Ethiopia Kenya Rwanda Somalia South Sudan Sudan Tanzania Uganda Zanzibar¹
Central Africa (UNIFFAC)	Cameroon Central African Republic Chad Congo DR Congo Equatorial Guinea Gabon São Tomé and Príncipe
Southern Africa (COSAFA)	Angola Botswana Comoros Eswatini Lesotho Madagascar Malawi Mauritius Mozambique Namibia Seychelles South Africa Zambia Zimbabwe
Non-regional Members	Réunion¹
¹ Regional team, an associate member of CAF but not a member of FIFA Football in Africa portal