Malawi National Team Head Coach Kalisto Pasuwa has expressed confidence in his squad’s midfield options ahead of Friday’s crucial World Cup Qualifier against Namibia in Botswana.

The Flames will face the second-placed team in Group H without key midfielder Lloyd Banega Aaron, who is serving a suspension after being sent off in Malawi’s previous qualifier against Tunisia.

Speaking ahead of the match, Pasuwa highlighted the depth available in his midfield ranks.

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“We have Blessings Singini, who plays in central midfield, and Lloyd Njaliwa, who has been playing as a number 8,” said the former Zimbabwe national team coach. “Patrick Mwaungulu is also versatile and can play in that role. So we have numbers in the central midfield.”

Banega’s absence will be keenly felt by the Flames. The former FCB Nyasa Big Bullets captain has been a cornerstone of the national team, starting 19 of Malawi’s 20 games before the recent COSAFA Cup tournament, from which he was absent. In his 19 international appearances since debuting at the 2023 COSAFA Cup, Banega has scored once and registered one assist.

Lloyd Njaliwa, one of the potential replacements, last started as a number 8 in Malawi’s 4-0 defeat to Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Despite some players joining camp late, Pasuwa remains optimistic about his team’s preparation.

“The guys are ready. We travelled recently and today we did some light stretches, resting them in the morning,” he explained. “Besides a few cases like Mayele and some other players being mentioned, we will only confirm at the last minute if there are changes. But overall, the boys are ready to go.”

The match against Namibia represents a crucial opportunity for Malawi to improve their position in Group H of the World Cup Qualifiers.