Malawi
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Flames
AssociationFAM
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCOSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coachPatrick Mabedi
CaptainJohn CJ Banda
Most capsYoung Chimodzi (159)
Top scorerKinnah Phiri (71)
Home stadiumBingu National Stadium
FIFA codeMWI
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 123 Steady (21 December 2023)[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)
Medal record
COSAFA Cup
Silver medal – second place2002 Southern Africa
Silver medal – second place2003 Southern Africa
CECAFA Cup
Gold medal – first place1978 Malawi
Gold medal – first place1979 Kenya
Gold medal – first place1988 Malawi
Silver medal – second place1975 Zambia
Silver medal – second place1984 Uganda
Silver medal – second place1989 Kenya
Bronze medal – third place1977 Somalia
Bronze medal – third place1980 Sudan
Bronze medal – third place1985 Zimbabwe

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.

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.

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

25 February Friendly Malawi  1–1  Lesotho Lilongwe, Malawi
15:00 UTC+2
Report Thabantso 74' Stadium: Bingu National Stadium
Referee: Newtone Nyirenda (Malawi)
24 March 2023 AFCON qualification Egypt  2–0  Malawi Cairo, Egypt
20:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: 30 June Stadium
Referee: Pierre Atcho (Gabon)
28 March 2023 AFCON qualification Malawi  0–4  Egypt Lilongwe, Malawi
15:00 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Bingu National Stadium
Referee: Dahane Beida (Mauritania)
14 June Friendly Mozambique  1–1  Malawi Maputo, Mozambique
10:00 UTC+2 Telinho 56' Report Nkhoma 74' Stadium: Estádio do Zimpeto
20 June 2023 AFCON qualification Ethiopia  0–0  Malawi Maputo, Mozambique
16:00 UTC+2 Report Stadium: Estádio do Zimpeto
Referee: Djindo Louis Houngnandande (Benin)
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
  • Thaba-Ntso 18'
 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)

Coaching staff

[6]

Position Name
Head Coach Malawi Patrick Mabedi
1st Assistant coach Malawi Deklerk Msakakuona
2nd Assistant coach Malawi Eliya Kananji
Goalkeeping coach Malawi Victor Mphande
Team manager Malawi James Sangala
Fitness Coach Malawi Peter Mgangira
Technical Adviser Malawi Aubrey Nankhuni
Data Analyst Malawi Lawrence Waya
Physiotherapist Malawi Dexter Killi
Team Doctor Malawi Dr. Levison Mwale
Kitmaster Malawi Richard Justin
Media Manager Malawi Gomegzani Zakazaka
Chaplain Malawi Chancy Gondwe
Assistant Technical Manager Malawi Steve Madeira

Coaching history

Caretaker coaches are listed in italics

Squad

Current squad

The following players were called up for 2023 COSAFA Cup.[7]

Caps and goals correct as of: 16 July 2023, after the match against South Africa.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Brighton Munthali (1997-12-11) 11 December 1997 32 0 Malawi Blue Eagles
1GK Cyrus Mchawa (1997-04-16) April 16, 1997 1 0 Malawi Mighty Tigers
1GK Harold Mwase (1998-11-28) 28 November 1998 0 0 Malawi Nyasa Big Bullets
2DF Stanley Sanudi (1995-02-02) 2 February 1995 83 1 Malawi Mighty Wanderers
2DF Dennis Chembezi (1997-01-15) 15 January 1997 41 0 South Africa Black Leopards
2DF Lawrence Chaziya (1998-08-19) 19 August 1998 11 0 Malawi Mighty Wanderers
2DF Nickson Mwase (1997-02-20) 20 February 1997 9 0 Malawi Silver Strikers
2DF Simeon Mwenechanya (1999-01-19) 19 January 1999 3 0 Malawi MAFCO
2DF Christopher Chikoti (1999-01-16) 16 January 1999 0 0 Malawi Blue Eagles
3MF Chimwemwe Idana (1998-09-07) 7 September 1998 48 0 Malawi Silver Strikers
3MF Alick Lungu (2002-03-24) 24 March 2002 10 0 Malawi Nyasa Big Bullets
3MF Patrick Mwaungulu (2002-02-18) 18 February 2002 7 1 Malawi Nyasa Big Bullets
3MF Frank Willard (2001-05-09) 9 May 2001 5 0 Malawi Nyasa Big Bullets
3MF Julius Phiri (2003-07-05) 5 July 2003 3 0 Malawi Nyasa Big Bullets
3MF Kenneth Mhango (1998-06-06) 6 June 1998 2 0 Malawi Nyasa Big Bullets
3MF Jonathan Mchulu (2003-12-27) 27 December 2003 2 0 Malawi Bangwe All Stars
3MF Anthony Chisale (1997-05-07) 7 May 1997 1 0 Malawi Silver Strikers
3MF Goodwin Kamuzu (2003-11-28) 28 November 2003 1 0 Malawi Ekwendeni Hammers
3MF Dennis Chirwa (1998-01-29) 29 January 1998 0 0 Malawi Silver Strikers
4FW Chawanangwa Kawonga (1995-01-05) 5 January 1995 20 2 Zambia Zanaco
4FW Gaddie Chirwa (1997-11-30) 30 November 1997 8 0 Malawi Mighty Wanderers
4FW Lanjesi Nkhoma (2002-05-27) 27 May 2002 7 2 Malawi Nyasa Big Bullets
4FW Christopher Kumwembe (1997-01-21) 21 January 1997 6 1 Malawi Mighty Wanderers
4FW Chifundo Mphasi (2004-10-17) 17 October 2004 6 0 Zambia Shamuel

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 Charles Thomu (1999-01-24) 24 January 1999 7 0 Malawi Silver Strikers v.  Egypt; 28 March 2023
GK Clever Nkungula (2000-02-13) 13 February 2000 3 0 Malawi Nyasa Big Bullets v.  Egypt; 28 March 2023
DF Blessings Mpokera (2002-04-02) 2 April 2002 0 0 Malawi Nyasa Big Bullets v.  Ethiopia; 20 June 2023
DF Gomezgani Chirwa (1996-09-25) 25 September 1996 24 0 Malawi Nyasa Big Bullets v.  Egypt; 28 March 2023
DF Miracle Gabeya (1996-01-14) 14 January 1996 14 1 Malawi Mighty Wanderers v.  Egypt; 28 March 2023
DF Paul Ndhlovu (1992-02-18) 18 February 1992 5 0 Malawi Malawi Armed Forces College v.  Egypt; 28 March 2023
DF Kelvin Kadzinje (1999-04-04) 4 April 1999 2 0 Malawi CIVO United v.  Egypt; 28 March 2023
DF Kieran Ngwenya (2002-09-25) 25 September 2002 1 0 Scotland Raith Rovers v.  Egypt; 28 March 2023
MF John Banda (1993-08-20) 20 August 1993 88 7 Mozambique Songo v.  Ethiopia; 20 June 2023
MF Chikoti Chirwa (1992-09-19) 19 September 1992 37 2 Mozambique Costa do Sol v.  Ethiopia; 20 June 2023
MF Micium Mhone (1992-01-19) 19 January 1992 59 6 Malawi Blue Eagles v.  Egypt; 28 March 2023
MF Charles Petro (2001-02-08) 8 February 2001 30 0 Romania FC Botoșani v.  Egypt; 28 March 2023
MF Francisco Madinga (2000-02-11) 11 February 2000 13 0 Botswana Jwaneng Galaxy v.  Egypt; 28 March 2023
MF Gilbert Chirwa (1994-02-14) 14 February 1994 4 0 Malawi Blue Eagles v.  Egypt; 28 March 2023
MF Chawanangwa Gumbo (2000-11-28) 28 November 2000 0 0 Malawi Nyasa Big Bullets v.  Egypt; 28 March 2023
FW Richard Mbulu (1994-01-25) 25 January 1994 40 5 Iraq Al-Najaf v.  Ethiopia; 20 June 2023
FW Yamikani Chester (1994-12-20) 20 December 1994 40 1 Mozambique Costa do Sol v.  Ethiopia; 20 June 2023
FW Peter Banda (2000-09-22) 22 September 2000 23 0 Tanzania Simba v.  Ethiopia; 20 June 2023
FW Loyd Njaliwa (1998-05-24) 24 May 1998 6 0 Malawi Moyale Barracks v.  Ethiopia; 20 June 2023
FW Chiukepo Msowoya (1988-09-23) 23 September 1988 89 22 Malawi Mighty Wanderers v.  Egypt; 28 March 2023
FW Stain Davie (1997-09-23) 23 September 1997 11 0 Malawi Silver Strikers v.  Egypt; 28 March 2023

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 record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA
England 1966 Did not enter Did not enter
Mexico 1970
West Germany 1974
Argentina 1978 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 0 5
Spain 1982 2 0 1 1 1 4
Mexico 1986 4 2 0 2 5 2
Italy 1990 8 2 3 3 6 6
United States 1994 Withdrew Withdrew
France 1998 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 0 4
South Korea Japan 2002 8 1 2 5 6 12
Germany 2006 12 2 4 6 15 27
South Africa 2010 12 5 1 6 18 16
Brazil 2014 6 1 4 1 4 5
Russia 2018 2 1 0 1 1 2
Qatar 2022 8215312
United States Canada Mexico 2026 To be determined 110010
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 To be determined
Saudi Arabia 2030
Total 0/25 67 17 16 34 60 95

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
Tunisia 1965 Not affiliated to CAF Not affiliated to CAF
Ethiopia 1968
Sudan 1970
Cameroon 1972
Egypt 1974WithdrewWithdrew
Ethiopia 1976 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 4 9
Ghana 1978 2 0 1 1 3 4
Nigeria 1980 4 1 0 3 6 7
Libya 1982 2 0 1 1 1 2
Ivory Coast 1984 Group stage 7th 3 0 1 2 2 6 Squad 4 3 1 0 6 2
Egypt 1986 Did not qualify 2 0 2 0 2 2
Morocco 1988 2 0 0 2 1 4
Algeria 1990 4 1 2 1 5 4
Senegal 1992 4 0 1 3 3 9
Tunisia 1994 6 2 1 3 4 7
South Africa 1996 6 1 3 2 6 7
Burkina Faso 1998 6 3 0 3 9 10
Ghana Nigeria 2000 2 1 0 1 2 2
Mali 2002 2 0 0 2 2 5
Tunisia 2004 4 1 0 3 3 10
Egypt 2006 12 2 4 6 15 27
Ghana 2008 4 1 0 3 2 6
Angola 2010 Group stage 11th 3 1 0 2 4 5 Squad 6 4 0 2 14 5
Equatorial Guinea Gabon 2012 Did not qualify 8 2 6 0 13 8
South Africa 2013 4 1 0 3 4 6
Equatorial Guinea 2015 6 2 1 3 5 9
Gabon 2017 6 2 1 3 5 9
Egypt 2019 6 1 2 3 2 6
Cameroon 2021 Round of 16 13th 4 1 1 2 3 4 Squad 6 3 1 2 4 5
Ivory Coast 2023 Did not qualify In progress
Morocco 2025 To be determined To be determined
Kenya Tanzania Uganda 2027
Total Round of 16 3/36 10 2 2 6 9 15 110 31 28 51 121 165

African Games

YearResultMWDLGFGA
Republic of the Congo 1965Did not qualify
Nigeria 1973Did not qualify
Algeria 19784th5005211
Kenya 19873rd531184
Total2/4103161015

Head-to-head record

As of 17 November 2019 after match against  Uganda[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
 Benin2101110
 Botswana2512854721+26
 Burkina Faso401337−4
 Burundi302146−2
 Cameroon9144613−7
 Chad63121510+5
 Comoros430153+2
 Congo200213−2
 Djibouti4400171+16
 DR Congo1033489−1
 Egypt10325814−6
 Eritrea110032+1
 Eswatini27111154021+19
 Ethiopia11362119+2
 Gabon110020+2
 Ghana6015017−17
 Guinea7133710−3
 Ivory Coast6114712−5
 Kenya471918106146+15
 Lesotho2013434312+31
 Liberia301202−2
 Libya301235−2
 Madagascar102171221−9
 Mali511358−3
 Mauritius2011543119+12
 Morocco10136315−12
 Mozambique31121183429+5
 Namibia154381520−5
 Nigeria8026920−11
 Réunion110082+6
 Rwanda9522169+7
 Senegal310257−2
 Seychelles110030+3
 Sierra Leone4310145+9
 Somalia330062+4
 South Africa13139520−15
 South Sudan210112−1
 Sudan321061+5
 Tanzania551725136252+10
 Togo321031+2
 Tunisia7232816−8
 Uganda3189143239−7
 Yemen100101−1
 Zambia7919174368170−102
 Zanzibar1512213410+24
 Zimbabwe641821256082−22
Total620212182226746798−52

References

  1. ↑ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 21 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  2. 1 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. ↑ "Final Squad". Facebook. Football Association of Malawi.
  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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