By Chisomo Phiri
Flames Head Coach Kalisto Pasuwa on Tuesday announced a 26-man squad for Malawi’s upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Namibia and Liberia.
The Flames will face Namibia on September 5, 2025, in Francistown, Botswana, before hosting Liberia at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe three days later.
The squad features 16 foreign-based players, including Mayele Malango of Monterey Bay FC (USA), who has earned his first senior national team call-up.

Also included are Mozambique-based forwards Richard Mbulu and Lloyd Njaliwa, Zambia-based striker Chawanangwa Kaonga, and midfielder Robert Saizi. USA-based forward Henry Kumwenda has also been handed a place in the squad.
The Flames will regroup in Lilongwe on Thursday, August 28, 2025, to begin preparations for the two crucial fixtures.
Here is the full squad
Goalkeepers
William Thole (Simba Bhora)
George Chikooka (Silver Strikers)
Joshua Waka (Ekhaya FC)
Defenders
Nickson Nyasulu (FC Platinum)
Dennis Chembezi (Al Qasim FC)
Maxwell Paipi (Silver Strikers)
Emmanuel Nyirenda (Mighty Wanderers)
Charles Petro (Botosani FC)
Gomegzani Chirwa (Ngezi Platinum)
McDonald Lameck (Silver Strikers)
Alick Lungu (Ekhaya FC)
Washali Jaziya (Nankatsu SC)
Midfielders
Yankho Singo (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets)
Blessings Singini (Mighty Wanderers)
Lloyd Aaron (Muaither SC)
Lloyd Njaliwa (Costa do Sol)
Robert Saizi (Zanaco)
Forwards
Frank Gabadinho Mhango (Richards Bay)
Richard Mbulu (Costa do Sol)
Mayele Malango (Monterey Bay FC)
Patrick Mwaungulu (TP Mazembe)
Chikumbutso Salima (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets)
Lanjesi Nkhoma (TP Mazembe)
Chawanangwa Kaonga (Zanaco FC)
Wisdom Mpinganjira (Mighty Wanderers)
Henry Kumwenda (Butler University, USA).