Flames coach Kallisto Pasuwa has for the first time spoken out on the continued exclusion of Mighty Wanderers right back Stanley Sanudi and Zambia-based Zanaco FC midfielder Chimwemwe Idana.
The duo last featured for the Flames in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Senegal last October in Bamako, Mali.
However, since then, they have not been called for national duty over an alleged disciplinary breach committed when immediate-past coach Patrick ‘General’ Mabedi was in charge.
Sanudi and Idana were accused of breaking protocol by storming the Lions of Teranga’s dressing room to ask for a jersey from Sadio Mane after a 4-0 defeat.
Speaking when he unveiled his squad for the upcoming 2026 Fifa World Cup last two Group H qualifiers against Equatorial Guinea and Sao Tome and Principe during a press briefing yesterday at Mpira Village in Chiwembe Township, Blantyre, the Zimbabwean tactician said: “I am coach Pasuwa and the coaches who were around had other names.
“I can’t talk of Idana when I am coach Pasuwa. Maybe there’s a reason, tactically or even technically or I don’t know how I can explain it.
“Maybe they are not [supposed] to be part of the squad. But of course, if I see they are fit to be part of the team, I will call them.”
Meanwhile, Nigerian-born forward Babatunde Adepoju is not in the squadn and Pasuwa said the lanky forward will be considered “once he has everything required for him to be in the national team”.
Pasuwa has also included Ireland-based defender Jubril Okedina in his 25-player squad.
Okedina is returning to the squad having made his debut for the Flames during a four-nations tourney Malawi hosted in June 2024 at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe under Mabedi.
The 24-year-old has just joined Bohemian FC having made 140 first-team appearances for Cambridge United over the past five seasons after graduating from Tottenham Academy.
Despite the player being idle for two months, Pasuwa justified his inclusion.
He said: “I have been following him and I’ve been talking to him; hence, his inclusion. I’ve been talking to him during his inactive period.”
Bohemian team manager also praised Okedina’s signing on the team’s website www.bohemians.ie.
He said: “We have been looking to bring in an experienced centre-back. In Jubril we are really delighted to have brought in a player, who despite still being young, comes in with great experience at a really high level having played over 90 games in League One over the past four years.
“He is a quick and strong defender and a really good passer of the ball. I feel he is going to be a great addition to the squad, who brings real pace to our back line.”
The Flames go into the last two qualifiers with Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles, already qualified, topping the pool with 22 points.
Namibia’s Brave Warriors sit second with 12 points while Liberia are third with 11 points. Both remain in contention for a possible best runners-up slot.
The Flames are fourth tied on points with fifth-placed Equatorial Guinea on 10 points. Sao Tome and Principe remain bottom without a point.
Pasuwa said despite the qualification battle being all but over for the Flames, the two matches are crucial in his team rebuilding project.
“These are two games which are very crucial in building a team. Meeting a team like Equatorial Guinea, that’s one of the bigger teams in Africa,” hr said.
The coach has maintained most of the players that he called for qualifiers against Namibia and Liberia.
Headlining the squad is South Africa-based striker and captain Frank Gabadinho Mhango alongside USA-based forward Mayele Malango, Democratic Republic Of Congo-based duo of Lanjesi Nkhoma and Patrick Mwaungulu, Charles Petro, based in Romania and Iraq-based Dennis Chembezi.
Qatar-based midfielder Lloyd Aaron, Mozambique-based duo of Lloyd Njaliwa and Richard Mbulu as well as Zambia-based duo of Robert Saizi and Chawanangwa Kawonga are also in the squad.
Bullets winger Chikumbutso Salima is also back in the squad after recovering from an injury.
The Zimbabwean tactician said he will continue to make additions to the team while dropping those that do not fit in his plans.
He said: “We’re still working to build up a team that competes, that can qualify f[for Afcon]. In doing so, we should have all the components of fitness for us to be a competitive team.”
