* Former Silver Strikers forward, Adiel Kaduya currently in school in the US; Shaquille Gwengwe of Newport County, England; Jordan Kananga (Zacatepec FC, Mexico); and Blessings Kanowa (Nankatsu SC, Japan)
* Kanowa’s Nankatsu teammate Washali Jaziya has also been called alongside domestic league debutants — goalkeeper Precious Masamba & defender Ajusa Kalowa (both Blue Eagles) and Mighty Wanderers defender Peter Ng’ambi
By Duncan Mlanjira
Flames’ head coach Kalisto Pasuwa has shaken up his squad with a wave of fresh talent, calling up players based in the United States of America (USA), England, Asia and South America.
Announcing his squad yesterday ahead of Malawi’s Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) Pamoja 2027 qualifying matches, Pasuwa has handed maiden senior team call-ups to eight players.
Coach Pasuwa
They include former Silver Strikers forward, Adiel Kaduya — currently in school in the US; Shaquille Gwengwe of Newport County, England; Jordan Kananga (Zacatepec FC, Mexico); and Blessings Kanowa (Nankatsu SC, Japan).
Kanowa’s Nankatsu teammate Washali Jaziya has also been called alongside domestic league debutants — goalkeeper Precious Masamba & defender Ajjusa Kalowa (both Blue Eagles) and Mighty Wanderers defender Peter Ng’ambi.
Blessings Kanowa and Washali Jaziya (below)
Mozambique-based forwards Richard Mbulu and Babatunde Adepoju have also been included, alongside Germany-based forward Mwisho Mhango.
The Flames open their AfCON Pamoja campaign with back-to-back assignments against South Sudan at home September 25 before travelling to Angola 10 days later.
They are in Group B alongside Egypt, whole they meet in back-to-back during the November 2026 international window — first travelling to Cairo for Matchday 3 before hosting the Pharaohs in Lilongwe for Matchday 4 within November 9-17.
The Flames squad, which will regroup in Lilongwe on Monday, September 21, to begin preparations for the first two crucial fixtures, also includes 19 foreign-based players, among them Mayele Malango of Sacramento Republic FC.
Shaquille Gwengwe and Mwisho Mhango
The full squad is as follows:
* Goalkeepers: William Thole (Simba Bhora), George Chikooka (Silver Strikers) and Precious Masamba (Blue Eagles);
* Defenders: McDonald Rameck (Hardrock), Gomegzani Chirwa (Ngezi Platinum), Dennis Chembezi (North Refineries Club), Emmanuel Nyirenda (Mighty Wanderers), Charles Petro (Botosani), Blessings Mpokera (Nyasa Big Bullets), Peter N’gambi (Mighty Wanderers) and Ajussa Kalowa (Blue Eagles);
* Midfielders: Blessings Kanowa & Washali Jaziya (Nankatsu SC), Yankho Singo (Nyasa Big Bullets), Oscar Petro (Civil Service United), Blessings Singini (Mighty Wanderers), Lloyd Njaliwa (Caps United), Mwisho Mhango (Hannover 96), Festus Duwe (Silver Strikers), Francisco Madinga (K Dynamos), Jorden Kananga (Zacatepec FC);
* Forwards: Babatunde Adepoju (Costa do Sol), Ephraim Kondowe (Nyasa Big Bullets), Chifundo Mpasi (Power Dynamos), Richard Mbulu (Costa do Sol), Patrick Mwaungulu (TP Mazembe), Gaddie Chirwa (Mighty Wanderers), Wisedinho Mpinganjira (Black Bulls), Mayele Malango (Sacramento Republic FC), Shaquille Gwengwe (Newport County), Adiel Kaduya (Mustangs University, USA).
Adiel Kaduya
The Flames will return to action in March 2027 for Matchday 5 against South Sudan and conclude the group campaign with a home match against Angola during Matchday 6 — with both fixtures scheduled between March 22-30, 2027.
Two top teams from each of the qualifying groups will qualify for the AfCON Pamoja 2027 to be co-hosted by East African nations, Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda.
The Flames last qualified for the AfCON in the 2021 edition hosted by Cameroon where they reached the knockout stages for the first time ever — where they were eliminated from the Round of 16 by Morocco.
Malawi Group B fixtures
Matchday 1: Malawi v South Sudan
Matchday 2: Angola v Malawi
Matchday 3: Egypt v Malawi
Matchday 4: Malawi v Egypt
Matchday 5: South Sudan v Malawi
Matchday 6: Malawi v Angola—additional info by FAM Media
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