Malawi National Football Team Head Coach Kalisto Pasuwa has declared that the Flames’ primary objective is to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), following their absence from the 2023 and 2025 editions.
Pasuwa made the announcement during a press conference in Blantyre on Thursday, where he also reviewed the team’s performance at the recent 2025 COSAFA Cup.
Malawi’s hopes of reaching the 2025 AFCON were dashed after a disappointing campaign in a group that included Senegal, Burkina Faso, and Burundi. The Flames finished at the bottom of their group with just four points.
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Patrick Mabedi initially led the team, but Pasuwa took over when they had yet to register a point. Under Pasuwa, Malawi played to a goalless draw against Burundi and then secured a convincing 3-0 home victory over Burkina Faso, ultimately finishing 12 points behind group winners Senegal and six points adrift of runners-up Burkina Faso.
Pasuwa has been at the helm for other significant matches, including the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN), where the Flames comfortably defeated Comoros 4-0 on aggregate before narrowly losing 2-1 to South Africa.
However, the recent COSAFA Cup proved challenging, with the team finishing last in their group with only one point and failing to score a single goal.
The Zimbabwean tactician signed a two-year contract last year, with targets including winning the COSAFA Cup and qualifying for the 2027 AFCON.
While reports from Wa Mpira suggest that Pasuwa, formerly of FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, will not face undue pressure if he fails to win the COSAFA Cup, delivering AFCON qualification remains paramount.
Speaking to the media, Pasuwa emphasized the long-term vision, stating, “We have been in our journey, we have played CHAN, and we went also to play COSAFA in our games which we were playing. As coaches, we are very professional enough, we were trying to build a team as you know that we are building a team that will qualify for AFCON 2027.”
Pasuwa acknowledged the need for patience in team building, highlighting the focus on youth development. “When building a team there is a time where you go maybe through this where you want to see each and every player playing in the National Team.
“One area which we should have to know at a time when you are building a team you also look at age. Yes, we know that outside there you need instant results, and think that if we take experienced players we can get results. But we should take into our minds that we need youngsters who can be the next future players of our national team.”
He reflected on the positive aspects of the CHAN squad and the areas needing improvement. “I think that most of them, we had in the CHAN squad, they played well, very positive in terms of how they were playing, out of possession and on possession, playing structured football where mostly, if you saw in our last games which we have been playing, we end up conceding.
It’s those moments that we need to see and work on them so that we can come up with results. But, it’s not easy, it needs time to make it happen and get results.”
Addressing the recent COSAFA Cup squad selection, Pasuwa explained the absence of some key players. “In our last games which we played at COSAFA, we chose players. Maybe it was surprising to see some of the guys like Alick Lungu, Lloyd Banega Aroan, Nixon Mwase not part of the team.
“Unfortunately, I wasn’t around, we are now that we could meet and explain the squad. Yes, we took these players like Emmanuel who replaced Alick and we had other guys like Blessings Mpokera. We decided to leave some of the guys whom we think could be part of the squad playing in AFCON because we know that they could be one of those players who we are supposed to be using.”
Looking ahead, Pasuwa stressed the ongoing preparations for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, including integrating Malawian players based in Europe.
“I think, that’s the time to prepare for 2027 AFCON Qualifiers. We are still in the process of preparing for us to be ready. We are also planning to have these players who are playing in Europe for us to be ready.
The professionals who are playing outside, they can bring another flair that can make the players that I have to have confidence to see how football is being played outside,” he concluded.
The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, the 36th edition of the biennial tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), is scheduled to be co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania in June and July 2027.
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