Malawi national football team

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]}

2025

Malawi  v  Namibia

20 March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Malawi	0–1	Namibia	Lilongwe, Malawi
18:00 UTC+2		Report (FIFA) Report (CAF)	Tjiueza 40'	Stadium: Bingu National Stadium Attendance: 17,706 Referee: Jelly Alfred Chavani (South Africa)

Tunisia  v  Malawi

24 March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Tunisia	2–0	Malawi	Tunis, Tunisia
22:00 UTC+1		Report (FIFA) Report (CAF)		Stadium: Hammadi Agrebi Stadium

Malawi  v  Lesotho

5 June 2025 COSAFA Cup	Malawi	0–1	Lesotho	Bloemfontein, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2		Report	Ntaitsane 87'	Stadium: Free State Stadium Referee: Patrice Milazar (Mauritius)

Namibia  v  Malawi

8 June 2025 COSAFA Cup	Namibia	0–0	Malawi	Bloemfontein, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2		Report		Stadium: Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium Referee: Hillary Hambaba (Zambia)

Malawi  v  Angola

10 June 2025 COSAFA Cup	Malawi	0–1	Angola	Bloemfontein
15:00 UTC+2		Report	Randy Nteka 48'	Stadium: Free State Stadium Referee: Hillary Hambaba (Zambia)

Namibia  v  Malawi

September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Namibia

1–2

Malawi

Malawi  v  Liberia

September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Malawi

2–2

Liberia

Malawi  v  Equatorial Guinea

October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Malawi

v

Equatorial Guinea

São Tomé and Príncipe  v  Malawi

October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

São Tomé and Príncipe

v

Malawi

Malawi  v  Lesotho

15 November Friendly	Malawi	0–0	Lesotho	Bloemfontein, South Africa
16:00 UTC+2		Report		Stadium: Toyota Stadium

Malawi  v  Lesotho

18 November Friendly	Malawi	1–0	Lesotho	Bloemfontein, South Africa
16:00 UTC+2	Malango 25'	Report		Stadium: Toyota Stadium

2026

Zambia  v  Malawi

28 March 2026 Mukuru 4 Nations Tournament	Zambia	0–0 (9–8 p)	Malawi	Francistown, Botsuana
15:00 UTC+2		Report		Stadium: Obed Itani Chilume Stadium Referee: Keabetswe Dintwa (Botswana)
	Penalties
			Mpinganjira Kondowe

Botswana  v  Malawi

31 March 2026 Mukuru 4 Nations Tournament	Botswana	1–0	Malawi	Francistown, Botsuana
15:00 UTC+2	Moloi 66'	Report		Stadium: Obed Itani Chilume Stadium Referee: Owen Manenda (Zimbabwe)

Coaching history

Caretaker coaches are listed in italics

Current squad

The following players were named to the squad for the Mukuru 4 Nations Tournament friendly matches against Zambia and Botswana on 28 and 31 March 2026.^[8][9]

Caps and goals correct as of 31 March 2026, after the match against Botswana.

More information No., Pos. ...

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
	1GK	George Chikooka	(1997-04-04) 4 April 1997 (age 29)	15	0	Silver Strikers
	1GK	William Thole	(1998-10-02) 2 October 1998 (age 27)	13	0	Simba Bhora
	1GK	Joshua Waka	(2004-07-24) 24 July 2004 (age 21)	0	0	Ekhaya
	2DF	Charles Petro	(2001-02-08) 8 February 2001 (age 25)	38	0	Botoșani
	2DF	Gomezgani Chirwa	(1996-09-25) 25 September 1996 (age 29)	31	0	Ngezi Platinum
	2DF	McDonald Lameck	(1998-10-10) 10 October 1998 (age 27)	19	0	Silver Strikers
	2DF	Maxwell Paipi	(2001-11-20) 20 November 2001 (age 24)	9	0	Platinum
	2DF	Nickson Nyasulu	(1998-03-03) 3 March 1998 (age 28)	8	0	Platinum
	2DF	Emmanuel Nyirenda	(2000-01-31) 31 January 2000 (age 26)	5	0	Mighty Wanderers
	3MF	Lloyd Aaron	(2003-01-08) 8 January 2003 (age 23)	28	1	Al Sadaqa
	3MF	Wisdom Mpinganjira	(2002-07-08) 8 July 2002 (age 23)	25	0	Black Bulls
	3MF	Lloyd Njaliwa	(1998-05-24) 24 May 1998 (age 27)	20	0	CAPS United
	3MF	Robert Saizi	(2003-07-05) 5 July 2003 (age 22)	17	1	Zanaco
	3MF	Gaddie Chirwa	(1997-11-30) 30 November 1997 (age 28)	17	0	Mighty Wanderers
	3MF	Yankho Singo	(2000-04-01) 1 April 2000 (age 26)	14	0	Nyasa Big Bullets
	3MF	Chawanangwa Gumbo	(2002-03-25) 25 March 2002 (age 24)	8	0	Nyasa Big Bullets
	3MF	Festus Duwe	(2003-06-07) 7 June 2003 (age 22)	1	0	Silver Strikers
	3MF	Mwisho Mhango	(2007-09-15) 15 September 2007 (age 18)	1	0	Hannover 96
	4FW	Richard Mbulu	(1994-01-25) 25 January 1994 (age 32)	48	7	Costa do Sol
	4FW	Chawanangwa Kawonga	(1995-01-05) 5 January 1995 (age 31)	36	5	CAPS United
	4FW	Patrick Mwaungulu	(2002-02-18) 18 February 2002 (age 24)	20	1	TP Mazembe
	4FW	Chikumbutso Salima	(2003-12-27) 27 December 2003 (age 22)	9	0	Al Merrikh
	4FW	Mayele Malango	(1997-02-25) 25 February 1997 (age 29)	7	1	Sacramento Republic FC
	4FW	Babatunde Adepoju	(1995-11-21) 21 November 1995 (age 30)	5	0	Venda
	4FW	Ephraim Kondowe	(2002-01-02) 2 January 2002 (age 24)	3	0	Nyasa Big Bullets

Close

Recent call-ups

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

More information Pos., Player ...

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Dalitso Khungwa	(1999-08-07) 7 August 1999 (age 26)	0	0	Mighty Wanderers	Mukuru 4 Nations Tournament PRE
GK	Richard Chimbamba	(1998-06-23) 23 June 1998 (age 27)	1	0	Nyasa Big Bullets	2025 COSAFA Cup
GK	Lucky Tizola	(2001-03-02) 2 March 2001 (age 25)	0	0	Mighty Tigers	2025 COSAFA Cup
DF	Blessings Mpokera	(2002-04-02) 2 April 2002 (age 24)	6	0	Nyasa Big Bullets	Mukuru 4 Nations Tournament PRE
DF	Emmanuel Nyirenda	(2000-01-31) 31 January 2000 (age 26)	5	0	Mighty Wanderers	Mukuru 4 Nations Tournament PRE
DF	Alex Kambilinya	(2002-05-14) 14 May 2002 (age 23)	0	0	Mighty Tigers	Mukuru 4 Nations Tournament PRE
DF	Hermas Masinja	(2006-02-19) 19 February 2006 (age 20)	0	0	Ekhaya	Mukuru 4 Nations Tournament PRE
DF	Charles Mafaiti		0	0	Ekhaya	Mukuru 4 Nations Tournament PRE
DF	Fanizo Mwansambo	(2000-12-30) 30 December 2000 (age 25)	0	0	Ekhaya	Mukuru 4 Nations Tournament PRE
DF	Dan Sandukira	(2001-08-10) 10 August 2001 (age 24)	0	0	Silver Strikers	Mukuru 4 Nations Tournament PRE
DF	Alick Lungu	(2002-03-24) 24 March 2002 (age 24)	22	0	Ekhaya	v.  Lesotho; 18 November 2025
DF	Jubril Okedina	(2000-10-26) 26 October 2000 (age 25)	2	0	Bohemian	v.  Lesotho; 18 November 2025
DF	Dennis Chembezi	(1997-01-15) 15 January 1997 (age 29)	57	0	Al-Qasim	v.  São Tomé and Príncipe; 13 October 2025
DF	Washali Jaziya	(2006-02-12) 12 February 2006 (age 20)	0	0	Nankatsu	v.  Liberia; 8 September 2025
DF	Andrew Jovinala	(2002-05-21) 21 May 2002 (age 23)	1	0	Nyasa Big Bullets	2025 COSAFA Cup
DF	Timothy Silwimba	(1999-05-05) 5 May 1999 (age 27)	4	0	Mighty Wanderers	2025 COSAFA Cup
MF	Blessings Singini	(1995-07-19) 19 July 1995 (age 30)	6	0	Mighty Wanderers	Mukuru 4 Nations Tournament PRE
MF	Charles Nkhoma	(1998-07-28) 28 July 1998 (age 27)	1	0	MMoyale Barracks	Mukuru 4 Nations Tournament PRE
MF	Uchizi Vunga	(2000-12-29) 29 December 2000 (age 25)	0	0	Silver Strikers	Mukuru 4 Nations Tournament PRE
MF	Moses Banda		0	0	Ekhaya	Mukuru 4 Nations Tournament PRE
MF	Wongani Lungu	(2002-03-09) 9 March 2002 (age 24)	5	1	Nyasa Big Bullets	2025 COSAFA Cup
MF	Oscar Petro	(2005-09-02) 2 September 2005 (age 20)	1	0	Nyasa Big Bullets	2025 COSAFA Cup
MF	Zebron Kalima	(2002-05-13) 13 May 2002 (age 23)	4	1	Silver Strikers	2025 COSAFA Cup INJ
FW	Andrew Joseph	(2002-08-01) 1 August 2002 (age 23)	0	0	Silver Strikers	Mukuru 4 Nations Tournament PRE
FW	Allen Chihana	(2002-04-06) 6 April 2002 (age 24)	0	0	Ekhaya	Mukuru 4 Nations Tournament PRE
FW	Wallace Adam		0	0	Mighty Wanderers	Mukuru 4 Nations Tournament PRE
FW	Gabadinho Mhango	(1992-09-27) 27 September 1992 (age 33)	74	20	Richards Bay	v.  Lesotho; 18 November 2025
FW	Chifundo Mphasi	(2004-10-17) 17 October 2004 (age 21)	16	2	Kabwe Warriors	v.  Lesotho; 18 November 2025
FW	Lanjesi Nkhoma	(2002-05-27) 27 May 2002 (age 23)	23	4	TP Mazembe	v.  Lesotho; 18 November 2025
FW	Yann Kouakou	(1999-08-17) 17 August 1999 (age 26)	0	0	AP Brera	v.  Lesotho; 18 November 2025
FW	Henri Kumwenda	(2002-05-15) 15 May 2002 (age 23)	3	0	Southall	v.  Liberia; 8 September 2025
FW	Zeliat Nkhoma	(1993-10-22) 22 October 1993 (age 32)	6	2	Kamuzu Barracks	2025 COSAFA Cup
FW	Promise Kamwendo	(1998-10-10) 10 October 1998 (age 27)	4	0	Mighty Wanderers	2025 COSAFA Cup
FW	Olson Kanjira	(1995-03-29) 29 March 1995 (age 31)	4	0	Kamuzu Barracks	2025 COSAFA Cup

Close

Most appearances

Top goalscorers

FIFA World Cup

More information FIFA World Cup record, Qualification record ...

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	1	1	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											10	4	1	5	11	10
2030	To be determined										To be determined
2034
Total		0/14									76	20	18	38	70	105

Close

Africa Cup of Nations

More information Africa Cup of Nations record, Qualification record ...

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											6	1	1	4	6	11
2027	To be determined										To be determined
2029
Total	Round of 16	3/35	10	2	2	6	9	15			122	33	31	58	131	186

Close

African Games

More information Year, Result ...

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

Close

Continental

• African Games¹
  • Bronze medal (1): 1987

Regional

• CECAFA Cup
  • Champions (3): 1978, 1979, 1988
  • Runners-up (3): 1975, 1984, 1989
  • Third place (3): 1977, 1980, 1985
• COSAFA Cup
  • Runners-up (2): 2002, 2003

Notes

1. Competition organized by ANOCA, officially not recognized by FIFA.