Flames ring the changes to World Cup squad
Malawi have brought in six changes to their squad for the September FIFA World Cup qualifiers after they lost their last two Group H qualifiers to Namibia and Tunisia in March.
Coach Kalisto Pasuwa has picked 26 players for the clashes against Namibia and Liberia, which will see Malawi travel to Francistown, Botswana to face the Brave Warriors on Friday, September 5, and then host Liberia in Blantyre on Monday, September 8.
Among the goalkeepers, Joshua Waka replaces Richard Chimbamba, while Washall Jaziya and Emmanuel Nyirenda come in for the Silver Strikers pair Nickson Mwase and Precious Sambani.
Zambian-based midfielder Robert Saizi returns to the squad for the first time since last October, as John Banda, Gaddie Chirwa, Chawanagwa Gumbo, Zebron Kalima, and Wongani Lungu are all dropped.
American-based strikers Henry Kuwenda, who is still at college, and Mayele Malango, who was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, have been picked to replace Binwell Katinji and Ephraim Kondowe. It is Malango’s first call-up.
Malawi have won two and lost four of their six group games and sit in fifth place in the standings, 10 points behind leaders Tunisia.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: George Chikooka (Silver Strikers), William Thole (Simba Bhora, Zimbabwe), Joshua Waka (Ekhaya)
Defenders: Dennis Chembezi (Al Qasim, Iraq), Gomegzani Chirwa (Ngezi Platinum Stars, Zimbabwe), Washall Jaziya (Nankatsu), McDonald Lameck (Silver Strikers), Alick Lungu (Ekhaya), Nickson Nyasulu (FC Platinum, Zimbabwe), Emmanuel Nyirenda (Mighty Wanderers), Maxwell Paipi (Silver Strikers), Charles Petro (Botosani, Romania)
Midfielders: Lloyd Aaron (Big Bullets), Lloyd Njaliwa (Costa do Sol, Mozambique), Robert Saizi (Zanaco, Zambia), Blessings Singi (Mighty Wanderers), Yankho Singo (Big Bullets)
Forwards: Chawanangwa Kaonga (Zanaco, Zambia), Henry Kuwenda (Butler University, USA), Mayele Malango (Monterrey Bay, USA), Richard Mbulu (Costa do Sol, Mozambique), Frank Mhango (Richards Bay, South Africa), Wisdom Mpinganjira (Mighty Wanderers), Patrick Mwaungulu, Lanjesi Nkhoma (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Chikumbutso Salima (Big Bullets).