Malawi national football team

The Malawi national football team 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.

Malawi
Nickname(s)Flames
AssociationFootball Association of Malawi
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCOSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coachPatrick Mabedi
CaptainJohn Banda
Most capsYoung Chimodzi (159)
Top scorerKinnah Phiri (71)
Home stadiumBingu National Stadium
FIFA codeMWI
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 125 (20 June 2024)[1]
Highest53 (December 1992)
Lowest138 (December 2007, March 2008)
First international
 Nyasaland 0–5 Northern Rhodesia 
(Malawi; 1957)[2]
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)[2]
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances3 (first in 1984)
Best resultRound of 16 (2021)
COSAFA Cup
Appearances19 (first in 1997)
Best resultRunners-up (2002, 2003)
Four Nations Football Tournament
Appearances1 (first in 2024)
Best resultFourth place (2024)

They have qualified for three Africa Cup of Nations, in 1984, 2010 and 2021. They also won the CECAFA Cup in 1978, 1979 and 1988, and they also got fourth place 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.[3][4][5]

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

6 July 2023 COSAFA Cup Zambia  0–1  Malawi Durban
18:00 Report
  • Katebe 17' (o.g.)
Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium
9 July 2023 COSAFA Cup Malawi  2–0  Seychelles Durban
18:00
  • Nkhoma 55'
  • Jacama Kumwembe 65'
Report Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium
11 July 2023 COSAFA Cup Malawi  2–0  Comoros Durban
15:00
  • Kaonga 30' (pen.)
  • Mwaungulu 36'
Report Stadium: Chatsworth Stadium
14 July 2023 COSAFA Cup SF Malawi  1–1
(0–3 p)
 Lesotho KwaMashu
15:00
Report Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium
9 September 2023 AFCON qualification Malawi  2–2  Guinea Lilongwe, Malawi
15:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Bingu National Stadium
Referee: Clement Franklin Kpan (Ivory Coast)
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
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
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 Report Stadium: Estadio de Malabo
Referee: Lamin Jammeh (Gambia)

Coaching staff

[6]

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

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.[7]

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

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Innocent Nyasulu (1997-04-16) 16 April 1997 1 0 Mighty Tigers
1GK Austin Chirambo (2003-12-31) 31 December 2003 0 0 Nyasa Big Bullets
1GK George Chikooka 0 0 Silver Strikers

2DF Stanley Sanudi (1995-02-02) 2 February 1995 86 1 Mighty Wanderers
2DF Lawrence Chaziya (1998-08-19) 19 August 1998 14 1 Mighty Wanderers
2DF Nickson Mwase (1997-02-20) 20 February 1997 9 0 Silver Strikers
2DF Daniel Chimbalanga (1999-01-19) 19 January 1999 3 0 MAFCO
2DF Blessings Mpokera (2002-04-02) 2 April 2002 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 50 0 Silver Strikers
3MF Francisco Madinga (2000-02-11) 11 February 2000 14 0 Mighty Wanderers
3MF Lanjesi Nkhoma (2002-05-27) 27 May 2002 10 2 Nyasa Big Bullets
3MF Lloyd Aron (2003-01-08) 8 January 2003 9 0 Nyasa Big Bullets
3MF Patrick Mwaungulu (2002-02-18) 18 February 2002 8 1 Nyasa Big Bullets
3MF Wisdom Mpinganjira (2002-07-08) 8 July 2002 3 0 Mighty Wanderers
3MF Chrispin Mapemba 2 0 Nyasa Big Bullets
3MF Yankho Singo (2000-04-01) 1 April 2000 0 0 Nyasa Big Bullets
3MF Wongani Lungu 0 0 Ekwendeni Hammers
3MF Patrick Macheso (1997-05-07) 7 May 1997 1 0 Silver Strikers

4FW Christopher Kumwembe (1997-01-21) 21 January 1997 9 1 Mighty Wanderers
4FW Olson Kanjira (1995-03-29) 29 March 1995 2 0 Kamuzu Barracks
3MF Ephraim Kondowe (2002-01-02) 2 January 2002 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 35 0 Blue Eagles v.  Tunisia; 21 November 2023
GK Clever Nkungula (2000-02-13) 13 February 2000 4 0 Nyasa Big Bullets v.  Guinea; 9 September 2023
GK Cyrus Mchawa (1997-04-16) April 16, 1997 1 0 Mighty Tigers 2023 COSAFA Cup
GK Harold Mwase (1998-11-28) 28 November 1998 0 0 Nyasa Big Bullets 2023 COSAFA Cup

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

MF John Banda (1993-08-20) 20 August 1993 91 7 Songo v.  Tunisia; 21 November 2023
MF Chifundo Mphasi (2004-10-17) 17 October 2004 8 1 Shamuel v.  Tunisia; 21 November 2023
MF Robert Saizi (2003-07-05) 5 July 2003 6 1 Nyasa Big Bullets v.  Tunisia; 21 November 2023
MF Frank Willard (2001-05-09) 9 May 2001 5 0 Nyasa Big Bullets v.  Liberia; 17 November 2023
MF Alick Lungu (2002-03-24) 24 March 2002 10 0 Nyasa Big Bullets 2023 COSAFA Cup
MF Julius Phiri (2003-07-05) 5 July 2003 3 0 Nyasa Big Bullets 2023 COSAFA Cup
MF Kenneth Mhango (1998-06-06) 6 June 1998 2 0 Nyasa Big Bullets 2023 COSAFA Cup
MF Jonathan Mchulu (2003-12-27) 27 December 2003 2 0 Bangwe All Stars 2023 COSAFA Cup
MF Anthony Chisale (1997-05-07) 7 May 1997 1 0 Silver Strikers 2023 COSAFA Cup
MF Goodwin Kamuzu (2003-11-28) 28 November 2003 1 0 Ekwendeni Hammers 2023 COSAFA Cup
MF Dennis Chirwa (1998-01-29) 29 January 1998 0 0 Silver Strikers 2023 COSAFA Cup
MF Chikoti Chirwa (1992-09-19) 19 September 1992 37 2 Costa do Sol v.  Ethiopia; 20 June 2023

FW Gabadinho Mhango (1992-09-27) 27 September 1992 68 17 Moroka Swallows v.  Liberia; 17 November 2023
FW Richard Mbulu (1994-01-25) 25 January 1994 41 5 Al-Najaf v.  Guinea; 9 September 2023
FW Peter Banda (2000-09-22) 22 September 2000 24 0 Simba v.  Guinea; 9 September 2023
FW Chawanangwa Kawonga (1995-01-05) 5 January 1995 21 2 Zanaco 2023 COSAFA Cup
FW Gaddie Chirwa (1997-11-30) 30 November 1997 8 0 Mighty Wanderers 2023 COSAFA Cup

Records

As of 16 July 2023[8]
Players in bold are still active with Malawi.

Most appearances

Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1Young Chimodzi159131979–1995
2Jack Chamangwana133101975–1985
3Lawrence Waya129281982–1996
4Harry Waya12681977–1987
5Kinnah Phiri117711973–1981
6Gilbert Chirwa11241981–1993
7Jonathan Billie11081978–1987
8Joseph Kamwendo10462003–2017
9Felix Nyirongo10321986–1997
10Peter Mponda10211998–2011

Top goalscorers

Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1Kinnah Phiri711170.611973–1981
2Frank Sinalo28750.371981–1989
Lawrence Waya281290.221982–1996
4Stock Dandize23700.331977–1983
5Yasin Osman22670.331966–1975
Essau Kanyenda22720.311999–2015
Chiukepo Msowoya22890.252006–present
8Peterkins Kayira18680.261983–1989
9Barnet Gondwe17660.261976–1981
Gabadinho Mhango17680.252012–present

Competition records

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup Qualification
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 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 8215312
2026 To be determined 420243
2030 To be determined
2034
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
1974Did not enterDid 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 In progress
2025 To be determined To be determined
2027
Total Round of 16 3/36 10 2 2 6 9 15 110 31 28 51 121 165

African Games

YearResultMWDLGFGA
1965Did not qualify
1973Did not qualify
19784th5005211
19873rd531184
Total2/4103161015

Head-to-head record

As of 10 June 2024 after match against  Equatorial Guinea[9]

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

Opponent
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
 Algeria7214613−7
 Angola9333810−2
 Bangladesh1010110
 Benin2101110
 Botswana2512854721+26
 Burkina Faso6024410−6
 Burundi302146−2
 Cameroon11146619−13
 Chad63121510+5
 Comoros540173+4
 Congo200213−2
 Djibouti4400171+16
 DR Congo1033489−1
 Egypt12327820−12
 Eritrea110032+1
 Eswatini28111254122+19
 Ethiopia144731314–1
 Equatorial Guinea100101–1
 Gabon110020+2
 Ghana6015017−17
 Guinea10145914−5
 Ivory Coast8116817−9
 Kenya481918116150+11
 Lesotho2313644616+30
 Liberia411212−1
 Libya301235−2
 Madagascar102171221−9
 Mali511358−3
 Mauritius2112543319+14
 Morocco11137417−13
 Mozambique371314103734+3
 Namibia164481621−5
 Nigeria8026920−11
 Réunion110082+6
 Rwanda9522169+7
 São Tomé and Príncipe110031+2
 Senegal511369−3
 Seychelles220050+5
 Sierra Leone4310145+9
 Somalia330062+4
 South Africa14149520−15
 South Sudan3201220
 Sudan321061+5
 Tanzania561725146254+8
 Togo321031+2
 Tunisia8233817−9
 Uganda3299143339−6
 Yemen100101−1
 Zambia8220174570173−103
 Zanzibar1512213410+24
 Zimbabwe671923256485−21
Total667223197247781858−77

References

  1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 20 June 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 8 February 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. "Throw Back Thursday with Mario Malawi Coaches Records... Compiled by Louis Alec Mario Antoine". Facebook. 17 January 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  4. 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.
  5. "Splidsboel heads home". BBC SPORT. 27 November 2002. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  6. "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.
  7. "MABEDI NAMES PROVISIONAL SQUAD FOR 4 NATIONS TOURNEY". Football Association of Malawi. 1 March 2024.
  8. Mamrud, Roberto. "Malawi – Record International Players". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 24 March 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  9. "World Football Elo Ratings: Malawi". Elo Ratings. Archived from the original on 18 July 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
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