Malawi National Football Team Coach Kalisto Pasuwa Thursday named a predominantly youthful squad for the 2025 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (Chan) towards Comoros at Bingu National Stadium (BNS) in Lilongwe subsequent week.
But the 27-member squad, which regrouped Thursday at Mpira Village in Chiwembe Township, Blantyre, has drawn combined reactions from the soccer fraternity after Pasuwa missed a number of the skilled locals forward of the qualifiers.
This is Pasuwa’s first squad after signing a two-year contract as Flames coach last week.
The notable exclusions from the 27-member squad embrace TNM Super League golden boot award winner midfielder Isaac Kaliati, Blessings Mwalilino (each Mighty Wanderers), striker George Chaomba and Isaac Msiska (each Creck Sporting Club).
The quartet had a great season within the TNM Super League final season.
Kaliati scored 17 targets whereas Chaomba netted 12 targets within the league.
Mwalilino netted 11 targets for Karonga United within the league whereas Msiska scored 11 targets for Mzuzu City Hammers.
Kamuzu Barracks striker Zeliati Nkhoma, who scored 12 targets within the league, has additionally been missed alongside Wanderers striker Clement Nyondo.
The skilled duo of defender Stanley Sanudi and midfielder Chimwemwe Idana has additionally been omitted from the squad.
Blue Eagles goalkeeper Brighton Munthali can be not a part of the squad.
Pasuwa was not available for a remark Thursday however Football Association of Malawi (Fam) Competitions and Communications Director Gomezgani Zakazaka stated it was the coach’s prerogative to decide on gamers for the matches.
“The coach [Pasuwa] is looking at a bigger picture. Chan is an opportunity for him to give youngsters the platform to showcase their skills,” he stated.
Pasuwa has trusted 4 strikers Allen Chihana (Karonga United), Ephraim Kondowe (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Olson Kanjira (Kamuzu Barracks) and Emmanuel Saviel, who’s on mortgage at Ekhaya from Zambia-based Mufulira Wanderers.
Sports analyst David Kanyenda, talking in his private capability, stated Pasuwa’s choice was doubtful.
“For Chan, Pasuwa cannot afford to completely overlook all the top goal scorers in the elite Super League and select forwards with inferior statistics,” he stated.
Another sports activities analyst George Chiusiwa stated Pasuwa was making an attempt to reveal his personal tactical and technical method.
“It is a good development that the Flames call-up has new faces that have not been tried at the senior level and this may be indicative of Pasuwa’s valuing player exposure and development relative to chalking instant results,” Chiusiwa stated.
Some of the brand new faces within the squad are Adam Wallace, Charles Nkhoma, Khumbo Banda, Joseph Macdonald, Amos Sande, Chris Lwemba and Auspicious Kadzongola.
Meanwhile, Pasuwa has maintained the majority of the backroom employees, with staff physician Felix Mwalule and analyst Michael Ngore the one new faces.
The Flames will face Comoros at BNS on March 2 earlier than internet hosting them every week later on the similar venue.