Sports analysts have commended the Malawi national football team, the Flames squad, released by caretaker coach, Calisto Pasuwa, ahead of two remaining games in the 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Pasuwa has recalled South African based striker, Gabadinho Mhango and former Nyasa Big Bullets defender, Charles Petro who plies his trade in Romania, into his 25-man squad.
Sports analyst, Lester Banda, told Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Thursday that he appreciates the new squad saying bringing back other players will strengthen the team.
“I have hope that we will do better especially with the coming of players such as Gabadinho, Charles Petro and Richard Mbulu. We have also seen that the coach has balanced the team by at least calling a number of players from big teams that play in the TNM Super league,” he said.
Banda urged players that have been trusted to represent the national team to work hard so that they do better in the coming matches.
“There are some players who always work hard in their clubs but once they are called to the national team they perform poorly. All players should, therefore, prove themselves that they are capable of putting the national team on a higher note,” he said.
In a separate interview with another sports analyst, Anointed Kamsampha, said Pasuwas squad is good considering the combination of senior and young players.
He said the combination will help rebuild the team for future games.
“The previous squad was struggling a lot in terms of scoring so the coming in of experienced players like Gabadinho is a morale booster to the squad and will inspire confidence in the young lads again,” he said.
Kamsampha, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the missing of some names who are regulars in the team.
“I have a few observations with the missing of Stanley Sanudi and Chimwemwe Idana. On the other hand, l am having questions on the consideration of players like Alick Lungu who is coming from an injury and has just played two games for his club.
“Lungu is a good young player but I think the coaching panel has rushed to call him in the squad,” he said.
The Flames, who are already eliminated in the competition, are currently in fourth position in Group L with teams like Burkina Faso, Senegal and Burundi.
Malawi will face Burundi away in Ivory Coast on Thursday November 14 before finishing their campaign with a home match against Burkina Faso at Bingu National Stadium on Monday, November 18.
