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Malawi national football team

(Redirected from Nyasaland national football team)

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.

Malawi
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)The 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 134 Decrease 1 (24 October 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  Ghana
(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)
Medal record
COSAFA Cup
Silver medal – second place 2002 Southern Africa
Silver medal – second place 2003 Southern Africa
CECAFA Cup
Gold medal – first place 1978 Malawi
Gold medal – first place 1979 Kenya
Gold medal – first place 1988 Malawi
Silver medal – second place 1975 Zambia
Silver medal – second place 1984 Uganda
Silver medal – second place 1989 Kenya
Bronze medal – third place 1977 Somalia
Bronze medal – third place 1980 Sudan
Bronze medal – third place 1985 Zimbabwe

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

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Coaches

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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
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

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[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

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Caretaker coaches are listed in italics

Players

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Current squad

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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.

No. 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

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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

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As of 26 March 2024[9]
Players in bold are still active with Malawi.

Most appearances

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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

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Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Kinnah Phiri 71 117 0.61 1973–1981
2 Frank Sinalo 28 75 0.37 1981–1989
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
9 Barnet Gondwe 17 66 0.26 1976–1981
Gabadinho Mhango 17 70 0.24 2012–present

Competition records

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FIFA World Cup

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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
  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
Total 0/14 70 18 16 36 63 98

Africa Cup of Nations

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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

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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

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As of 14 October 2024 after match against   Senegal[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 4 0 2 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 671 223 197 251 784 869 −85

Honours

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Continental

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Regional

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References

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  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 24 October 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Malawi - List of International Matches". Archived from the original on 8 February 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  3. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 13 November 2024. Retrieved 13 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.
  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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