Malawi’s Flames are set to participate in their third edition of AFCON finals next month in Cameroon.
The Flames first went to AFCON in 1984 in Ivory Coast then in 2010 in Angola.
On both occasions, Malawi failed to get past the group stages.
Such a trend might continue at the forthcoming edition. Below are some of the squad members for the Flames.
Goalkeepers:
Ernest Kakhobwe
Club: Nyasa Big Bullets
Age:28
Caps:20
He is among the four goalkeepers coach Meke Mwase has featured in this campaign. He often swapped with Brighton Munthali for the number one jersey. Kakhobwe plays for Malawi champions Nyasa Big Bullets.
Caps:
William Thole
Club: Be Forward Wanderers
Age: 23
Caps: 6
He has been in and out of Malawi squad, with interim coach Mario Marinica, who will lead the team to AFCON following the demotion of Meke Mwase, Thole is now back in the mix owing to his height. Thole will compete with first-choice goalkeeper Ernest Kakhobwe and debutant Charles Thom.
Charles Thom
Club: Silver Strikers
Caps: 0
Age: 22
The former Malawi under-20 keeper was a late inclusion to the squad, thanks to the Football Association of Malawi’s hiring of Romanian Mario Marinica as technical director, then as head of the panel for the Flames heading to AFCON. Marinica opted for Thom owing to his height. Thom started playing professional football with Dwangwa United before signing for Silver a few years ago.
Defenders:
Stanley Sanudi
Club: Be Forward Wanderers
Age:26
Caps:58
Undisputed Malawi’s number one right-back who is a model of consistency. He rose through the junior national team ranks to establish himself with the senior team.
Peter Cholopi
Club: Be Forward Wanderers
Age:25
Caps:26
He is the second-choice sweeper for Malawi. He plays club football with Be Forward Wanderers having joined them from Bvumbwe Research FC in the lower division.
Nickson Mwase
Club: Silver Strikers
Age:24
Caps:2
An up-and-coming defender who can play in almost all defensive positions. He brings cover to the defence.
Denis Chembezi
Caps: 21
Club: Polokwane City, South Africa
A versatile centre back who can also play as a left back. He emerged from Surestream Academy to sign for Mighty Wanderers. He then signed for Polokwane City in South Africa in 2020.
Limbikani Mzava
Club: AmaZulu), South Africa
Age:28
Caps:52
Mzava returned to the national team midway through the campaign having gone on a self-imposed exile under the previous coach Ronny van Geneugden. Mzava is among the most caped and most experienced member of the squad little wonder he is the captain. Mzava has spent the better part of his career in South Africa playing for Bloemfontein Celtic, Golden Arrows, Highlands Park and now AmaZulu. In Malawi, Mzava launched his career at Mighty Tigers before signing for Escom United.
He also captained Malawi under-17 team to the maiden 2009 Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations and World Youth Cup in Nigeria.
Charles Petro
Club: Sheriff Tiraspol, Moldova
Age:20
Caps:21
Malawi’s reliable number 4 who is also so versatile capable of building play from the back. He plays for Tisapol Sheriff, the Moldovan champions who have caused waves in the group stages of the Uefa Champions League. Malawi interim coach Mario Marinica has since classified Petro as a midfielder going to the AFCON finals in Cameroon.
Gomezgani Chirwa (Nyasa Big Bullets).
Age:25
Caps:11
He is the second choice-right back for the Flames. Chirwa is good at overlapping and he has an eye for goals. However, his career has not progressed due to injuries.
Midfielders:
Chikoti Chirwa
Club: Red Lions
Age: 29
Caps:20
He is, alongside striker Richard Mbulu, Malawi Defence Force (MDF) soldiers in the Malawi squad. Chirwa plays for MDF-owned side Red Lions based in Malawi’s old capital Zomba. He is a defensive midfielder.
Peter Banda
Club: Simba SC, Tanzania
Age:21
Caps: 9
He is the next big star for Malawi football with his ability to play in all attacking positions. He graduated from the under-17 and 20 national teams all the way to the senior team. He played for Tisapol Sheriff, the Moldovan champions who have caused waves in the group stages of the Uefa Champions League while on loan from Malawi champions Nyasa Big Bullets for six month. He signed for Simba mid the year 2021.
Gerald Phiri Jnr
Club: Al Hilal (Sudan)
Age:28
Caps:37
A set-piece expert for the team good in free-kicks and corner kicks. He plays for Al Hilal having signed from Baroka FC in DStv Premiership of South Africa. He is now into his eighth career club having played for Be Forward Wanderers, Caps United (Zimbabwe), Bidvest Wits FC (South Africa), Township Rollers (Botswana), Platinum Stars (South Africa), Ajax Cape Town (South Africa).
Francisco Madinga
Club: FC Dila Gori, Georgia
Age:21
Caps:2
He is an up and coming attacking midfielder who can play in the flanks and upfront. He also played in Malawi for Wanderers before securing the move to the Georgian side.
Chimwemwe Idana
Club: Nyasa Big Bullets
Age:23
Caps:20
A rising playmaker who has an eye for goal. Earned promotion from Nyasa Big Bullets reserve to establish himself with the Malawi champions. He had an outstanding season for Malawi champions Nyasa Big Bullets and was named best midfielder and player of the year.
John Banda
Club: UD Songo, Mozambique
Age:28
Caps:63
He is the vice-captain of the team. A model of hard work and discipline. He is among the longest serving members of the team.
Yamikani Chester
Club: Be Forward Wanderers
Age:26
Caps:18
A pacy winger who can be handy to defenders on his day. He launched his professional football career at Tigers FC in Malawi then switched to Be Forward Wanderers. He rejoined Wanderers after a stint with lower league clubs in the United States.
STRIKERS:
Richard Mbulu
Club: Baroka FC, South Africa
Age:27
Caps: 28
He is a soldier for Malawi Defence Force. He is the scorer of the lone goal in the decisive 1-0 win over Uganda to secure Malawi a place at AFCON finals in Cameroon. He won the Golden Boot Award with 19 goals in Malawi while playing for military side Mafco in 2016. He moved to Costa do Sol in Mozambique, spent months on loan to Portuguese lower league side Sanjoanense.
Khuda Muyaba
Club: Polokwane City, South Africa
Age:27
Caps:13
The temperamental striker launched his career in professional ranks at Moyale Barracks then quit to sign for Silver Strikers. He won the Golden Boot Award for Malawi Super League with 21 goals in 2019 season before signing for Polokwane City in South Africa’s First Division.
Hellings Frank Gabadinho Mhango
Club: Orlando Pirates, South Africa
Age:29
Caps: 51
Malawi’s main striker and star player who commands a large following. He won the Golden Boot Award in South Africa Premier League with 16 goals jointly with Peter Shalulile in 2019/2020 season. Played in Malawi for Nyasa Big Bullets being signing for Bloemfontein Celtic in South Africa then Bidvest Wits who loaned him out to Golden Arrows. He then secured a move to Orlando Pirates three seasons ago.
Robin Ngalande
Club: Saint George, Ethiopia
Caps:23
A talented attacking player who once played for Atletico Madrid youth team. He is in and out of the Malawi squad. He has just returned in time from an injury.
PLAYERS ON STAND-BY
Tawonga Chimodzi
Club: Silver Strikers
Age:33
Caps:15
The holding midfielder is the only surviving member from the squad of 2006. He is the son of Malawi football legend Young Chimodzi senior. He started his career at Silver Strikers before signing for Engen Santos in South Africa. He spent over six years playing for clubs in Greece and Cyprus before rejoining Silver months ago.
Mike Mkwate
Club: Polokwane FC, South Africa
Age:23
Caps: 2
A talented attacking midfielder who used to play for Nyasa Big Bullets winning over three league titles. He signed for Polokwane last season.
Hassan Kajoke
Club: Nyasa Big Bullets
Age:23
Caps: 3
Rising striker who has won the Golden Boot Award in Malawi Super League with 15 goals this just ended season. He plays for champions Nyasa Big Bullets and has won three league titles with Bullets since his promotion from reserves three seasons ago.
Bright Munthali
Club: Silver Strikers
Age: 23
Caps: 21
He is among four goalkeepers coach Meke Mwase featured in this AFCON qualifying campaign. Munthali has often swapped the number one jersey with Ernest Kakhobwe. Munthali graduated from Malawi under-20 to the senior team in 2015.