Malawi’s poor outing at the Mukuru Four Nations Tournament in Botswana, where the Flames failed to win or score in open play, has intensified scrutiny on Zimbabwean coach Kallisto Pasuwa.
However,the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) insists that the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualification remains the ultimate benchmark to gauge the coach’s performance.
| Courtesy of FAM
The tournament in Botswana, where Malawi lost to Zambia and Botswana Under-23 sides, leaves Pasuwa with seven wins in 20 matches since November 2024. His team has also lost eight and drawn five matches.
His struggles include a winless 2025 Cosafa Cup campaign and a shock 1-0 loss to São Tomé and Príncipe in a World Cup qualifier, with other defeats being at the hands of Namibia, Tunisia, South Africa and Lesotho.
Pasuwa’s brightest spell is highlighted by a 3-0 Afcon qualifying win over Burkina Faso, a 1-0 friendly victory over Lesotho, back-to-back Africa Nations Championship victories over Comoros and South Africa, and a 2-1 World Cup qualifying triumph over Namibia.
Football analyst Twaha Chimuka said results and long-term planning both cast doubt on the project.
He said: “Whether the coach is on track or not depends on what we are looking for. If we are looking at results, then the mission is a failure because the results are not coming. If we are looking at the future, then it’s also subject to scrutiny because if that’s the case, then we need to look at the players we are featuring.
“Are they players we can use in the next five, seven years or players we can use at the 2027 Afcon? Currently, we are in a situation where the coach is under pressure from either end. To begin with, he is under pressure from his bosses who have indicated that time for rebuilding is over.
“At the same time, there is also pressure from the public because the team is not producing results, especially after firing his predecessor Patrick Mabedi on grounds of poor performance.
“You could see the regulars in his squad. After Pasuwa came in, these players were dropped, but we have seen that he has started recalling them..”
Another analyst, Parry Chinyama, said Pasuwa has run out of ideas and should step down.
He said: “Our performance, in all honesty, leaves a lot to be desired. We lacked creativity and failed even to score a goal. The team played in a disjointed formation, characterised by negative play and back passes. We don’t have a ball player in the whole team.
“To crown it all, our technical team has run out of ideas. Imagine Zambia and Botswana brought Under-23 sides and we failed to beat them despite having all our foreign-based players. Pasuwa can’t say he is rebuilding a team indefinitely. He needs to step down. The 20 games are enough for FAM to assess him.”
On his part, George Chiusiwa described the project as a failure, citing a lack of clear philosophy and measurable progress.
He said: “Without focusing on his football philosophy, which is hard to identify and tactical orientation, Pasuwa’s rebuilding project is a failure by all measures. National team rebuilding without verifiable performance indicators and player development metrics is a nonstarter and a waste of time and resources. It is time FAM revisits the Flames project under Pasuwa and redefines its strategic objectives.”
But FAM president Fleetwood Haiya acknowledged the team’s struggles, but insisted the focus remains unchanged.
He said: “The Flames have not risen to the occasion in this Four Nations Tournament and we acknowledge the disappointment this brings to our supporters. However, our hope remains anchored in the example set by the Scorchers, who, despite early setbacks in friendlies, learned, improved and ultimately qualified.
“We believe the same path is possible for the Flames. The preparations have been provided, and these experiences must now translate into growth and results. The expectation and target remain clear. Qualification for the 2027 Afcon is a must.”
On his part, Pasuwa said they will have to go back to the drawing board to see where they are failing.
