Malawi national football team
![]() | ||||
Nickname(s) | The Flames | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Association | Football Association of Malawi | |||
Confederation | CAF (Africa) | |||
Sub-confederation | COSAFA (Southern Africa) | |||
Head coach | Mario Marinică/Meke Mwase | |||
Captain | Limbikani Mzava | |||
Most caps | Young Chimodzi (159) | |||
Top scorer | Kinnah Phiri (71) | |||
Home stadium | Bingu National Stadium | |||
FIFA code | MWI | |||
| ||||
FIFA ranking | ||||
Current | 120 ![]() | |||
Highest | 53 (December 1992) | |||
Lowest | 138 (December 2007, March 2008) | |||
First international | ||||
![]() ![]() (Malawi; 1957) | ||||
Biggest win | ||||
![]() ![]() (Malawi; 13 July 1968) ![]() ![]() (Blantyre, Malawi; 31 May 2008) | ||||
Biggest defeat | ||||
![]() ![]() (Malawi; 15 October 1962) ![]() ![]() (Malawi; 12 December 1965) | ||||
Africa Cup of Nations | ||||
Appearances | 3 (first in 1984) | |||
Best result | Round of 16 (2021) | |||
COSAFA Cup | ||||
Appearances | 19 (first in 1997) | |||
Best result | Runners-up (2002, 2003) | |||
The Malawi national football team, nicknamed The Flames, represents Malawi in international football and is controlled by the Football Association of Malawi. Before 1966, they were known as the Nyasaland national football team.
They have qualified for three Africa Cup of Nations, in 1984, 2010 and 2021. They also won the CECAFA Cup in 1978, 1979 and 1988.
History
Malawi first qualified for an African Cup of Nations in 1984, when only eight teams competed in the tournament in Ivory Coast. After a 3-0 defeat against Algeria, World Cup participants in 1982 and 1986, the Malawi drew 2-2 in the second game against eventual finalists Nigeria. With a 0–1 loss against Ghana, Malawi ended the group stage with 1 point at the bottom of the table and was eliminated from the tournament.
After 26 years, Malawi took part in an Africa Cup of Nations again in 2010. The team benefited from the fact that the continental elimination round for the 2010 FIFA World Cup also served as the qualifying round for AFCON. In the group matches of the third round, Malawi, third place behind Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso and with a record of only four points and 4–11 goal difference, was enough to make it to the continental finals.
At the tournament in Angola, Kinnah Phiri's team caused a big surprise. In the first group game, Malawi defeated Algeria, which had qualified for the World Cup, 3-0. One of the goalscorers was striker Russel Mwafulirwa, who at the time was under contract for the Swedish first division club IFK Norrköping and was thus one of only two players in the 23-man squad active in Europe. Malawi lost the second game against hosts Angola, 2-0.
For Malawi to have reached the quarter-finals for the first time, a draw in the last group game would have been enough. However, the team lost 3-1 to Mali. After just three minutes, the Malawians were 2-0 down, a goal from Mwafulirwa did nothing to avert the team's elimination.
Recent results and forthcoming fixtures
Matches in last 12 months, as well as any future scheduled matches.
2021
17 March Friendly | Ethiopia ![]() | 4–0 | ![]() | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
Stadium: Addis Ababa Stadium |
24 March 2021 AFCONQ | South Sudan ![]() | 0–1 | ![]() | Omdurman, Sudan |
16:00 UTC+3 | Report |
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Stadium: Al-Hilal Stadium Referee: Anthony Ogwayo (Kenya) |
29 March 2021 AFCONQ | Malawi ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() | Lilongwe, Malawi |
15:00 UTC+2 |
|
Report | Stadium: Bingu National Stadium Referee: Celso Alvação (Mozambique) |
13 June Friendly | Tanzania ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() | Dar es Salaam, Tanzania |
16:00 UTC+3 |
|
Report | Stadium: National Stadium Referee: Ramadhani Kayoko (Tanzania) |
9 July 2021 COSAFA Cup Group B | Malawi ![]() | 2–2 | ![]() | Port Elizabeth, South Africa |
12:00 UTC+2 | Report |
|
Stadium: Wolfson Stadium Referee: Keabetswe Dintwa (Botswana) |
11 July 2021 COSAFA Cup Group B | Mozambique ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() | Port Elizabeth, South Africa |
17:00 UTC+2 |
|
Report | Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium Referee: Brighton Chimene (Zimbabwe) |
13 July 2021 COSAFA Cup Group B | Malawi ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() | Port Elizabeth, South Africa |
12:00 UTC+2 | M. Mhone ![]() |
Report | E. Kambindu ![]() |
Stadium: Wolfson Stadium Referee: Akhona Makalima (South Africa) |
14 July 2021 COSAFA Cup Group B | Senegal ![]() | 2–1 | ![]() | Port Elizabeth, South Africa |
12:00 UTC+2 |
|
Report | Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium Referee: Keabetswe Dintwa (Bostswana) |
3 September 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Group D | Cameroon ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() | Yaoundé, Cameroon |
20:00 UTC+1 |
|
Report | Stadium: Paul Biya Stadium Referee: Jean Jacques Ndala Ngambo (Democratic Republic of the Congo) |
7 September 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Group D | Malawi ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() | Johannesburg, South Africa |
15:00 UTC+2 |
|
Report | Stadium: Orlando Stadium Referee: Souleiman Ahmed Djama (Djibouti) |
8 October 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Group D | Malawi ![]() | 0–3 | ![]() | Johannesburg, South Africa |
15:00 UTC+2 | Report | Gradel ![]() I. Sangaré ![]() Boga ![]() |
Stadium: Orlando Stadium Referee: Peter Waweru (Kenya) |
11 October 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Group D | Ivory Coast ![]() | 2–1 | ![]() | Cotonou, Benin |
17:00 UTC+1 | Report |
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Stadium: Stade de l'Amitié Referee: Bernard Camille (Seychelles) |
13 November 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Group D | Malawi ![]() | 0–4 | ![]() | Johannesburg, South Africa |
15:00 UTC+2 | Report |
|
Stadium: Orlando Stadium Referee: Issa Sy (Senegal) |
16 November 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Group D | Mozambique ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() | Cotonou, Benin |
14:00 UTC+1 | Report | Stadium: Stade de l'Amitié Referee: Hassan Mohamed Hagi (Somalia) |
2022
10 January 2021 Africa Cup of Nations | Guinea ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() | Bafoussam, Cameroon |
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Report | Stadium: Kouekong Stadium Referee: Daniel Nili Laryea (Ghana) |
14 January 2021 Africa Cup of Nations | Malawi ![]() | 2–1 | ![]() | Bafoussam, Cameroon |
17:00 |
|
Report |
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Stadium: Kouekong Stadium Referee: Beida Dahane (Mauritania) |
18 January 2021 Africa Cup of Nations | Malawi ![]() | 0–0 | ![]() | Bafoussam, Cameroon |
Report | Stadium: Kouekong Stadium Referee: Blaise Yuven Ngwa (Cameroon) |
25 January AFCON Round of 16 | Morocco ![]() | 2–1 | ![]() | Yaoundé, Cameroon |
20:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium Referee: Pacifique Ndabihawenimana (Burundi) |
Coaching staff
Position | Name |
---|---|
Head of Technical Panel, Interim Head Coach | ![]() |
1st Assistant coach | ![]() |
2nd Assistant coach | ![]() |
Goalkeeping coach | ![]() |
Fitness coach | ![]() |
Physiotherapist | ![]() |
Team Doctor | ![]() |
Kit Manager | ![]() |
Technical Manager | ![]() |
Coaching history
- Caretaker coaches are listed in italics
Jack Chamangwana (1998–99)
Young Chimodzi (1999–00)
Kim Splidsboel (2000–02)
Alan Gillett (2003)
Edington Ng'onamo (2003–04)
John Kaputa (2004)
Yassin Osman (2004–05)
Michael Hennigan (2005)
Burkhard Ziese (2005–06)
Kinnah Phiri (2006–07)
Stephen Constantine (2007–08)
Kinnah Phiri (2009–12)
Edington Ng'onamo (2012–13)
Tom Saintfiet (2013)
Young Chimodzi (2014–15)
Ernest Mtawali (2015–16)
Ramadhan Nsanzurwimo (2016–17)
Gerald Phiri Sr. (2017)
Ronny Van Geneugden (2017–19)
Meke Mwase (2019–present)
Mario Marinică (2021–present)
Current squad
The following players were called up for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.[3]
Caps and goals are correct as of 25 January 2022, after the match against Morocco.
Recent call-ups
The following players have been called up for the team in the last 12 months.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Brighton Munthali | 11 December 1997 | 21 | 0 | ![]() |
2021 Africa Cup of Nations RES |
DF | Paul Ndhlovu | 18 February 1992 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
2021 Africa Cup of Nations RES |
DF | Norchard Chimbalanga | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
2021 Africa Cup of Nations RES | |
DF | Francis Mulimbika | 27 March 1993 | 31 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
DF | Nickson Mwase | 20 February 1997 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
DF | Nickson Nyasulu | 3 March 1998 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
DF | Precious Sambani | 21 May 1998 | 24 | 1 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
DF | Kieran Ngwenya | 25 September 2002 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
MF | Gerald Phiri Jr. | 8 June 1993 | 49 | 11 | ![]() |
2021 Africa Cup of Nations RES |
MF | Tawonga Chimodzi | 26 August 1988 | 21 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
MF | Mike Mkwate | 12 May 1988 | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
MF | Duncan Nyoni | 18 May 1998 | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
MF | Vitumbiko Kumwenda | 23 September 1998 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
2021 COSAFA Cup |
MF | Dan Kumwenda | 17 May 1997 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
2021 COSAFA Cup |
MF | Chimango Kayira | 28 September 1993 | 68 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
MF | Rafiq Namwera | 30 October 1991 | 15 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
MF | Patrick Banda | 1 June 1996 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
FW | Stain Davie | 23 September 1997 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
2021 Africa Cup of Nations RES |
FW | Hassan Kajoke | 7 December 1997 | 6 | 2 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
FW | Lloyd Njaliwa | 24 May 1998 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
FW | Vincent Nyangulu | 4 July 1995 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
FW | Schumacher Kuwali | 27 June 1996 | 10 | 0 | ![]() |
vs. ![]() |
Records
- As of 25 January 2022[4]
- Players in bold are still active with Malawi.
Most appearances
|
Top goalscorers
|
Competition records
FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup qualification record | |||||||||||||||||
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Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |||
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Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||||
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Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | |||||||||||
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2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | ||||||||||||
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4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 2 | ||||||||||||
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8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 | ||||||||||||
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Withdrew | Withdrew | ||||||||||||||||
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Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | |||||||||||
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8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 12 | ||||||||||||
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12 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 15 | 27 | ||||||||||||
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12 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 18 | 16 | ||||||||||||
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6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 5 | ||||||||||||
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2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||||
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8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 7 | ||||||||||||
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To be determined | To be determined | ||||||||||||||||
Total | – | 0/22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 66 | 17 | 17 | 32 | 60 | 90 |
Africa Cup of Nations
Africa Cup of Nations record | Africa Cup of Nations qualification record | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Squad | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
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Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | ||||||||||||||
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![]() | Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||
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Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 9 | |||||||||
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2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | ||||||||||
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4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 7 | ||||||||||
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2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||
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Group stage | 7th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | Squad | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | |
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Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
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2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | ||||||||||
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4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 4 | ||||||||||
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4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 9 | ||||||||||
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6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 7 | ||||||||||
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6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 7 | ||||||||||
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6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 10 | ||||||||||
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2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||
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2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | ||||||||||
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4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 10 | ||||||||||
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12 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 15 | 27 | ||||||||||
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4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 6 | ||||||||||
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Group stage | 11th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | Squad | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 5 | |
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Did not qualify | 8 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 13 | 8 | |||||||||
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4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 6 | ||||||||||
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6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 9 | ||||||||||
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6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 9 | ||||||||||
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6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 6 | ||||||||||
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Round of 16 | 13th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Squad | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | |
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To be determined | To be determined | ||||||||||||||
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Total | Round of 16 | 3/33 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 15 | – | 110 | 31 | 28 | 51 | 121 | 165 |
African Games
- Football at the African Games has been an under-23 tournament since 1991.
African Games record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Result | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
![]() | Did not qualify | |||||||
![]() | Did not qualify | |||||||
![]() | 4th | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 11 | |
![]() | 3rd | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 4 | |
1991–present | See Malawi national under-23 football team | |||||||
Total | 2/4 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 10 | 15 |
Gossage Cup / CECAFA Cup
CECAFA Cup record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
COSAFA Cup
COSAFA Cup record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Rank | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
1997 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
1998 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
1999 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2001 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2002 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2003 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2004 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2005 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2006 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2007 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
![]() |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Total | 0/19 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Head-to-head record
As of 17 November 2019 after match against Uganda[5]
Positive Record Neutral Record Negative Record
Opponent |
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 13 | −7 |
![]() | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 10 | −2 |
![]() | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
![]() | 25 | 12 | 8 | 5 | 47 | 21 | +26 |
![]() | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 | −4 |
![]() | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 6 | −2 |
![]() | 9 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 13 | −7 |
![]() | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 15 | 10 | +5 |
![]() | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | +2 |
![]() | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | −2 |
![]() | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 1 | +16 |
![]() | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 9 | −1 |
![]() | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 14 | −6 |
![]() | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 |
![]() | 27 | 11 | 11 | 5 | 40 | 21 | +19 |
![]() | 11 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 11 | 9 | +2 |
![]() | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 |
![]() | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 17 | −17 |
![]() | 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 10 | −3 |
![]() | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 12 | −5 |
![]() | 47 | 19 | 18 | 10 | 61 | 46 | +15 |
![]() | 20 | 13 | 4 | 3 | 43 | 12 | +31 |
![]() | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | −2 |
![]() | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | −2 |
![]() | 10 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 12 | 21 | −9 |
![]() | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 8 | −3 |
![]() | 20 | 11 | 5 | 4 | 31 | 19 | +12 |
![]() | 10 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 15 | −12 |
![]() | 31 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 34 | 29 | +5 |
![]() | 15 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 15 | 20 | −5 |
![]() | 8 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 20 | −11 |
![]() | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | +6 |
![]() | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 9 | +7 |
![]() | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 7 | −2 |
![]() | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 |
![]() | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 5 | +9 |
![]() | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 |
![]() | 13 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 5 | 20 | −15 |
![]() | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 |
![]() | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 |
![]() | 55 | 17 | 25 | 13 | 62 | 52 | +10 |
![]() | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 |
![]() | 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 16 | −8 |
![]() | 31 | 8 | 9 | 14 | 32 | 39 | −7 |
![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 |
![]() | 79 | 19 | 17 | 43 | 68 | 170 | −102 |
![]() | 15 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 34 | 10 | +24 |
![]() | 64 | 18 | 21 | 25 | 60 | 82 | −22 |
Total | 620 | 212 | 182 | 226 | 746 | 798 | −52 |
Honours
- COSAFA Cup :
- CECAFA Cup :
- All Africa Games :
- 1 Third Place (1987)
References
- "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
- "Malawi coach Meck Mwase demoted, Marinica to take charge at Afcon, December 5th, 2021 - Malawi24.com". 5 December 2021.
- "Flames Technical Panel has named the final squad". Facebook. Football Association of Malawi. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
- Mamrud, Roberto. "Malawi - Record International Players". RSSSF.
- "World Football Elo Ratings: Malawi". Elo Ratings. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
External links
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