Flames Head Coach Kalisto Pasuwa has announced his final 25-man squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Equatorial Guinea and São Tomé and Príncipe, keeping faith in the core group of players who did duty in the last round of matches.

The squad includes 24 of the 26 players who featured against Namibia and Liberia last month, a sign of continuity and trust in the team’s current setup. Among them is Jubril Okedina, the Ireland-based defender who plies his trade at Bohemian FC, making a return to the national side after missing the previous fixtures.

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

Speaking after announcing the squad, Pasuwa said maintaining the bulk of the previous call-ups was important for stability and consistency.

“We want to build a team that understands each other well. Most of the players who did well against Namibia and Liberia are back because continuity is key in football. You cannot change too many things when you are trying to establish a strong unit,” said Pasuwa.

The Zimbabwean tactician added that the return of Okedina would add valuable depth in defence.

“Jubril has been doing well at his club, and we felt this was the right time to bring him back. His presence gives us options at the back, which is crucial as we go into these tough fixtures,” he explained.
 Meanwhile, football commentators have welcomed Pasuwa’s decision to retain most of the squad, describing it as a positive step toward long-term team building.

Analyst Christopher Njeula praised the coach’s consistency, saying it would give the Flames a better chance of competing at the highest level.

“This is a step in the right direction. You can’t keep chopping and changing if you want results. By keeping almost the same squad, Pasuwa is ensuring that the players gel well and develop confidence ahead of the qualifiers,” Njeula said.

Sports pundit Parley Chinyama also echoed the sentiments, highlighting the importance of preparing for both the World Cup and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

“We have seen in the past that frequent changes to the squad have cost us. This time, there’s a sense of stability. If this group stays together and continues improving, Malawi will have a realistic chance of fighting for an AFCON spot,” Chinyama said.

The Flames are aiming to make a strong statement in the qualifiers after mixed results in recent outings. Playing at home against Equatorial Guinea will be a stern test, but Pasuwa remains confident that the squad he has assembled can rise to the challenge.