- One win in ten matches, a sharp fall in the FIFA rankings and constant squad changes have intensified questions about the direction of Malawi’s national team
The future of Malawi national team coach Kalisto Pasuwa has come under increasing scrutiny following a prolonged run of poor results that has left the Flames facing renewed uncertainty ahead of a crucial period in their development.
With just one victory in their last ten matches, concerns have been growing among analysts and supporters about the team’s trajectory under the Zimbabwean coach, who was appointed to oversee a rebuilding process following the departure of Patrick Mabedi.
Those concerns have been compounded by a decline in Malawi’s FIFA ranking, which has fallen to 131, placing the Flames closer to their historic low than to the gains made in recent years.
The latest setback came in October, when Malawi suffered a 3-1 defeat away to Angola in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
The result added to a sequence of disappointing performances across multiple competitions, including Afcon qualifiers, World Cup qualifiers, African Nations Championship qualifiers and the Cosafa Cup.
Among the more notable reverses were defeats to Namibia, Tunisia, Lesotho, Angola, South Africa, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Burundi and Equatorial Guinea, as well as a surprise loss to São Tomé and Príncipe that prompted fresh debate about the team’s competitiveness within the region.
While results have attracted most attention, some observers have argued that the more significant issue concerns the lack of continuity in team selection.
Since taking charge, Pasuwa has regularly introduced new players into the squad, a strategy that supporters view either as evidence of long-term rebuilding or, critics argue, an absence of a settled plan.
By mid-2026, the coach had reportedly called up 65 different players across ten squads, including six goalkeepers, 19 defenders, 23 midfielders and 17 forwards.
Football analyst Parry Chinyama believes the frequent changes have made it difficult to identify a clear playing style or core group of players around which the team can develop.
“Every time there is a FIFA window, he has been changing players, he has been bringing new faces,” Chinyama said.
“Since he took over, I have not seen the proper direction of his rebuilding. He has been selecting many players and we cannot say that they are all bad. It’s amazing that he has used over 50 players. We are not sure about what he is doing. I do not know when the coach will build his team.”
Criticism has not been directed solely at the coaching bench.
Football analyst George Chiusiwa argued that responsibility also rests with the Football Association of Malawi (FAM), questioning its approach to recruitment and long-term planning.
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