* Washali, from Nkhotakota District, started his academy journey with Ascent Soccer in 2020
* He was the anchor at centre back in 2023 when the Ascent Soccer U16 boys captured Iceland’s Rey Cup during its first-ever European tournament appearance
* Along with leading the Malawi U20s, Washali has also played for the U17s and just this week, received his first call-up to the senior national squad for the COSAFA Cup 2025
By Duncan Mlanjira
Ascent Soccer’s graduate, Washari Jaziya, who captained of Malawi’s U20 national team, has ventured east for a professional football opportunity, signing with Japan’s Nankatsu SC.
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According to a statement from the Lilongwe-based and the country’s most accomplished football academy, Nankatsu SC is based in Tokyo, backed and named by Yoichi Takahashi and his globally recognised manga and animated series, Captain Tsubasa.
Washali, from Nkhotakota District, started his academy journey with Ascent Soccer in 2020 and was the anchor at centre back in 2023 when the U16 boys captured Iceland’s Rey Cup during Ascent’s first-ever European tournament appearance, says the statement.
“Along with leading the Malawi U20s, Washali has also played for the U17s and just this week, received his first call-up to the senior national squad [for COSAFA Cup 2025].
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“With Nankatsu SC, who play in Division One of the Kantu Soccer League, Washari is expected to play at both centre back and in the midfield.”
Washali was named by Flames head coach Kalisto pasuwa in his 25-member squad for the COSAFA Cup 2025 scheduled from Wednesday (June 4–15) in Mangaung, South Africa.
Pasuwa has also included uncapped Karonga United forward Allen Chihana, Nyasa Bullets Reserves midfielder Oscar Petro, in the squad which is dominated by players from the team that took part on the African Nations Championship (CHAN) that got eliminated in the last round of its qualifiers by South Africa — losing 1-2 on aggregate after winning 1-0 at home in the first leg.
A statement from Football Association of Malawi (FAM) says Pasuwa has left out most regulars to give an opportunity to upcoming players to prove themselves ahead of FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September.
The COSAFA Cup trophy
The full squad, which is regrouping this weekend at Mpira Village in Blantyre and is expected to leave for South Africa on Tuesday, has:
* Goalkeepers: Richard Chimbamba (Nyasa Big Bullets), George Chikooka (Silver Strikers) Lucky Tizola (Mighty Tigers FC);
* Defenders: Mark Lameck & Maxwell Paipi (both Silver Strikers), Fanizo Mwansambo (Ekhaya FC), Emmanuel Nyirenda (Mighty Wanderers), Andrew Jovinala & Blessings Mpokera (Nyasa Big Bullets), Washali Jaziya (Nankatsu SC Tokyo, Japan), Timothy Silwimba (Mighty Wanderers);
* Midfielders: Yakho Singo, Chawanangwa Gumbo, Wongani Lungu & Oscar Petro (Nyasa Big Bullets), Charles Nkhoma (Moyale Barracks), Zebron Kalima (Silver Strikers), Blessings Singini (Mighty Wanderers);
* Strikers: Zeliati Nkhoma & Olson Kanjira (Kamuzu Barracks), Wisdom Mpinganjira, Gaddie Chirwa & Promise Kamwendo (Mighty Wanderers), Chikumbutso Salima (Nyasa Big Bullets), Allen Chihana (Karonga United.
Malawi will start the COSAFA Cup campaign against Lesotho on June 5 before facing Namibia three days later and wrapping up their group stage matches with a clash against defending champions, Angola on June 10.
The winner of the group will qualify for the semi-finals where they will face tie winner of Group C which has Morocco, Madagascar and eSwatini.
Malawi’s last appearance in the COSAFA Cup was in 2023, where they reached the semifinals but lost to Lesotho on penalties. They went on to face South Africa in the third-place playoff, which also ended in a penalty shootout defeat.
The Flames missed last year’s edition following the tragic passing of the State Vice-President, Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima.
Ascent Soccer continues to shine in as far as player development is concerned and its equity impact keeps growing as just two weeks ago, it contributed seven in the First XI of Malawi U20 Women’s national team that beat Central African Republic 4-1 on aggregate (3-1 at home and 1-1 away) in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026 qualifiers.
They were Leticia Chinyamula (captain), Faith Chinzimu, Rose Kabzere, Talandira Chinyamvula, Maureen Kenneth, Victoria Mkwala and Fatima Lali. Malawi will now face South Sudan in the second round of the qualifiers in September.
Meanwhile, Ascent Soccer product, Geoffrey Ogenrwot, graduated last week from Pennsylvania’s Dickinson College, with a major in Studio Art.
Geoff, who started his academic and soccer journey at Canada’s St. Andrew’s College having gone through Ascent Soccer, also helped the Red Devils earn their first-ever appearance in the final eight of NCAA D3 Tournament in 2024.
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