Flames Coach, Patrick Mabedi, has named a 28-man squad ahead of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers against Burundi and Burkina Faso.

Speaking during a press conference on Friday morning Mebedi said he was forced to drop some key players due to injuries.

“We had to leave out some players like Richard Mbulu, Alick Lungu, Tatemda M’balaka, Chrispine Mapemba and Chikumbutso Salima due to injuries, which is setback but we have replaced them with other players and we have to move forward”, he said.

Despite different challenges, Mabedi remains optimistic about the team’s chances of getting results in the two matches.

“The first match is always difficult, but we’re ready to carry the victory. We will explore other strategies to overcome our opponents,” he said.

Malawi will host Burundi on September 5th at the Bingu Nation Stadium before facing Burkina Faso away five days later.

Here is full Squad:

Goalkeepers

Innocent Nyasulu (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), George Chikooka (Silver Strikers) and Brighton Munthali (Blue Eagles)

Defenders

Mark Lameck, Nickson Mwase, Maxwell Paipi (Silver Strikers), Stanley Sanudi, Lawrence Chaziya (Mighty Mukuru Wanderers), Gomezgani Chirwa, Nickson Nyasulu, Precious Sambani (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Chembezi Denis (Al Qasim SC-Iraq)

Midfielders

Liyod Aaron, Wongani Lungu (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Wisdom Mpinganjira (Mighty Mukuru Wanderers¬), Chimwemwe Idana , Uchizi Vunga, Patrick Macheso, Chikondi Kamanga (Silver Strikers), Lanjesi Nkhoma, Patrick Mwaungulu (TP Mazembe-DRC), John Banda UD Songo-Mozambique), Yamikani Chester (Costa do sol-Mozambique), Robert Saizi (Zanaco-Zambia)

Strikers

Zeliat Nkhoma (Kamuzu Barracks), Gaddie Chirwa (Mighty Mukuru Wanderers), Chawanangwa Kaonga (Zanaco-Zambia), Chifundo Mphasi (Power Dynamos-Zambia