Right-back Stanley Sanudi and attacking midfielder Chimwemwe Idana have been dropped from the Flames squad to face Burundi and Burkina Faso in the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations following a disciplinary breach in Dakar, Senegal after Malawi’s 4-0 loss to the Lions of Teranga.
The two senior players, who were dropped in the return leg played at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, are accused of breaking protocol by storming the Lions of Teranga dressing room to beg for Sadio Mané’s jersey despite being advised not to do so, according to a report from head of delegation Chimango Munthali.
action: Sanudi
The report from Munthali, who is also Football Association of Malawi (FAM) executive committee member, reads in part: “A noteworthy incident involved Stanley Sanudi and Chimwemwe Idana, whose behaviour was unprofessional, especially considering we were scheduled to face Senegal again in four days. After the match, I went from the VVIP area to the dressing room to speak with the players about the result and refocus on the upcoming game.
“While waiting for the players to finish their ice baths, I was conversing with team manager [James] Chilapondwa when our team liaison officer [TLO] entered with a Senegal jersey for a player named Idriss Gana Gueye. He suggested we give it to the player who wore jersey number 8 identified by the others as Idana.
“The TLO handed the jersey to me. I took the jersey to the ice bath room and gave it to Idana, at which point Sanudi asked if Sadio Mané had sent his jersey, as they had an agreement. I informed him that Mané had not.”
However, the report said an incensed Sanudi insisted that there was supposed to be another jersey for him from Mané and not just Gueye’s.
Not convinced by the explanation, Sanudi accompanied by Idana, left the changing room and went to the home side’s dressing room to ask for the jersey.
The report further states that the two players delayed the team bus which had to wait for them after they had disappeared into the opponent’s camp.
It had to take the TLO to go and fetch them so that the team should leave for their hotel and prepare to fly back home for the return leg which Malawi lost 1-0 courtesy of Mané last gasp goal.
The head of delegation’s report recommended that the two players should be officially called to a hearing on the matter.
FAM competitions and communication director Gomezgani Zakazaka in an interview confirmed the players face a disciplinary action but said FAM is yet to call the players for a hearing.
“The players have not been summoned for any hearing. The then coach [Patrick Mabedi] officially complained about the conduct and the matter is being looked into so that no such incidents reoccur,” he said
Football analyst Raymond Siyaya commended Pasuwa for taking the same hard-line Mabedi took.
