FCB Nyasa Big Bullets forward Babatunde Adepoju has received his historic first call-up to the Malawi National Football Team, the Flames, for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers .

The Nigerian-born striker, who officially acquired Malawian citizenship through naturalization last month, has long expressed his desire to represent the country. 

In an interview in July, he stated, “It’s my wish because Malawi as a nation has given me a lot. I’m a successful footballer in Malawi, so definitely I’d like to give back to the nation if an opportunity comes” .

Babatunde has been in outstanding form this season, registering 12 goals and six assists in 23 games in all competitions for Bullets. His call-up is a personal milestone and a proud moment for his club .

The Flames will host Equatorial Guinea on 9 October 2025 at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, before travelling to Tunis for their away clash against São Tomé and Príncipe on 13 October.

Flames Head Coach Kalisto Pasuwa has included several other Bullets stars in the squad alongside Babatunde, namely midfielder Yankho Singo and winger Chikumbutso Salima, who returns after recovering from illness.

Ireland-based defender Jubril Okedina also returns to the squad .

The Flames sit fourth in Group H with 10 points, level with their upcoming opponents, Equatorial Guinea . With group leaders Tunisia already qualified, these matches are crucial for Malawi to finish their campaign on a positive note as part of the team's rebuilding project .

The full squad for the upcoming qualifiers is as follows :

Goalkeepers
William Thole (Simba Bhora), George Chikooka (Silver Strikers) and Joshua Waka (Ekhaya FC) 

Defenders
Nickson Nyasulu (FC Platinum), Dennis Chembezi (Al Qasim FC), Maxwell Paipi (Silver Strikers), Emmanuel Nyirenda (Mighty Wanderers), Charles Petro (Botosani FC), Gomegzani Chirwa (Ngezi Platinum), McDonald Lameck (Silver Strikers), Alick Lungu (Ekhaya) and Jubril Okedina (Bohemian FC)

Midfielders
Yankho Singo (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Blessings Singini (Mighty Wanderers), Lloyd Aaron (Muaither SC), Lloyd Njaliwa (Costa do Sol), and Robert Saizi (Zanaco)

Forwards
Frank Gabadinho Mhango (Richards Bay), Richard Mbulu (Costa do Sol), Mayele Malango (Monterey Bay FC), Patrick Mwaungulu (TP Mazembe), Chikumbutso Salima (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Babatunde Adepoju (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets),  Lanjesi Nkhoma (TP Mazembe), Chawanangwa Kaonga (Zanaco FC) and Wisdom Mpinganjira (Mighty Wanderers)