Flames head coach Kallisto Pasuwa has explained that he has left out some senior players from his 2025 Cosafa Cup squad not necessarily because of performance, but rather to give a chance to up-and-coming players.
The Zimbabwean tactician on Wednesday named a 25-memebr squad without some regulars such as FCB Nyasa Bullets captain Lloyd Aaron, Silver Strikers’ Nixon Mwase and Binwell Katinji as well as Ekhaya FC defender Alick Lungu.
The decision to drop the players, who were part of the CAF Africa Nations Champions (Chan) squad eliminated by South Africa in the last qualifying round, drew mixed reactions.
But Pasuwa, in a response on Thursday, said he has deliberately left the players to give an opportunity to up-and-coming players to showcase their talent at the tournament set for June 4 to 15 in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
He said: “Alick [Lungu], Banega [Aaron], Nixon [Mwase] have been left out because they are seniors and regulars to give opportunity to up-and-coming youngsters.”
Instead, Pasuwa has included rookies such as Under-20 national football team captain Washali Jaziya of Nankatsu SC of Tokyo in Japan, Bullets Reserves youngster Oscar Petro, Allen Chihana of Karonga United, Lucky Tizola of Mighty Tigers FC, Fanizo Mwansambo of Ekhaya FC, Andrew Jovinala of Bullets, Charles Nkhoma of Moyale Barracks and Emmanuel Nyirenda of Mighty Wanderers.
The coach is set to blend these with some Flames regulars such as George Chikooka (Silver), Richard Chimbamba (Bullets), Maxwell Paipi (Silver), Wisdom Mpinganjira (Wanderers), Gaddie Chirwa (Wanderers), McDonald Lameck (Silver), Chikumbutso Salima (Bullets), Zelliat Nkhoma and Olson Kanjira (Kamuzu Barracks).
Reacting to the call-up, football analyst Raymond Siyaya described the squad as balancing both developmental needs and fighting for honours at the tournament.
He said: “It’s a huge clarion call to fostering football growth and development for the upcoming players that have been called to represent the national flag.
“It’s a huge confidence booster to these up-and-coming players to showcase their talent, especially players like Allen [Chihana] and Oscar [Petro], who have been given their maiden berths.
“But what fascinates me the most is the retention of players who competed in Chan as this points to continuity which helps in fostering relationships among players themselves and the technical panel.
“I believe this continuity will also help the coach to refine and implement his tactical strategies with players who are already exposed to his ideas.”
But another analyst, Twaha Chimuka, felt the coach has missed an opportunity of utilising the tournament to expose more up-and-coming players.
He said: “I look at this squad not as a developmental, but rather a squad that aims at winning the Cosafa Cup. This is our senior side. Most of the players in the squad are the ones Pasuwa has been using at senior level.
“I think we could also be the strongest squad if you compared with other countries. So, this is a missed opportunity for Pasuwa to expose more up and coming players. Of course we have three developmental players but this is not enough.”
The Flames are in Group B alongside defending champions Angola’s Palancas Negras, 2015 champions Namibia’s Brave Warriors and 2024 finalists Lesotho’s Likuena.
Their first fixture is against Likuena on June 5 in a repeat of the 2023 edition semi-final when they lost 3-0 on post-match penalties.
The Flames will then face the Brave Warriors on June 8 in a repeat of 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier which they lost 1-0 at Bingu National Stadium in March this year.
They will wrap up their group stage matches with a clash against Angola on June 10. All matches will be played at Toyota Stadium.
Group A has top seed hosts South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, Mozambique Mamba, Mauritius’ Les Dodos and Zimbabwe’s Warriors.
The competition will get underway on June 4 with a fixture between Warriors and Les Dodos.
Group C has guests Tanzania, who have replaced Morocco, Madagascar and Eswatini.
