Malawi National Football Team head coach Kalisto Pasuwa says the Flames are ready for their final international friendly against Lesotho on Tuesday at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, despite a number of injury concerns in camp.
The match kicks off at 4:00 PM CAT and comes just three days after Saturday’s goalless draw between the two sides.
Speaking on Monday, Pasuwa confirmed that defender Alick Lungu has been ruled out due to injury, while forward Chifundo Mphasi has traveled to link up with his club, Power Dynamos, ahead of their CAF Champions League fixture against RS Berkane in Morocco.
“Since we last played two days ago, we had injuries to some of the boys, including Alick Lungu. The medical team has said he cannot be part of the squad tomorrow,” Pasuwa said.
“Chifundo Mphasi, who played in the last match, is also unavailable as he has traveled for his club’s Champions League assignment. He is not part of us for this game.”
Pasuwa also provided updates on Mighty Wanderers defender Emmanuel Nyirenda, FC Platinum defender Nixon Nyasulu, and Silver Strikers goalkeeper George Chikooka, noting that minor adjustments are expected to the lineup.
“With these injuries, and also for some of the players who didn’t play on Saturday, yes, there will be changes,” he said. “It won’t be wholesale changes because we are rebuilding, and we cannot just switch the whole team. Maybe one or two changes in defense and in the striking force as we try to see how best we can approach the game.”
Tuesday’s match could be the Flames’ final friendly before shifting focus to next year’s competitive calendar. The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers begin in March, and Pasuwa has consistently emphasized building a strong, stable squad capable of reaching the finals.
Since taking over, Pasuwa has used 36 players across 17 matches in various competitions—COSAFA, CHAN, 2025 AFCON qualifiers, 2026 World Cup qualifiers, and international friendlies—as part of an extended assessment process.
He hinted that Mighty Wanderers midfielder Blessings Singini and Qatar-based Lloyd Aaron may be given their chance on Tuesday after testing Yankho Singo and Lloyd Njaliwa in the goalless stalemate on Saturday.
“Yankho Singo is a mechanical-load type of player, while Njaliwa operates more like a number 8 who moves up and down,” Pasuwa explained. “In our last match, we won second balls, but at times when we had possession, we lost it too easily. When building from the back, they were not coming to take the ball and connect with the front three or four.”
“We talk of Lloyd Aaron and Blessings Singini—they will be given their chances, and tomorrow might be their opportunity. Uchizi Vunga also has Champions League experience; we will see how he performs at national team level.”
Looking ahead to the AFCON qualifiers, Pasuwa said the Flames are steadily improving but still need more time together.
“So far so good. We are mostly struggling in front of goal,” he said. “At national team level, you get a maximum of four days to train, and foreign-based players may arrive a day or two before the match. To build scoring patterns, you need more time.”
“We also need to improve our transition from attack to defense because at times we are caught unaware and leave too much space at the back. And we must express ourselves better when we get into the field of play.”
