Ex-Chiefs target Kalisto Pasuwa named Malawi coach

Former Kaizer Chiefs target Kalisto Pasuwa has been named Malawi’s Flames coach on a two-year contract replacing AmaKhosi legend Patrick Mabedi.

Football Association of Malawi President Fleetwood Haiya unveiled the former Zimbabwe Warriors mentor on Wednesday with the mandate of securing the Flames 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualification.

“It was not a difficult choice for Pasuwa considering that we have tested him in the previous games when he was a caretaker. He is now a full-time coach and we will give him all the support for him to help us achieve our ambitions,” Haiya told the press.

The former Zimbabwe Dynamos FC coach’s appointment faced some uncertainty after the Malawi National Council of Sports suggested that FAM had not followed set recruitment guidelines in his hiring.

However, FAM insisted otherwise with Haiya saying: “As FAM we followed our processes and procedures and after consultations and recommendations from our stakeholders, we have settled for Pasuwa.”

The FAM boss has since charged the five-time TNM Super League winner with FCB Nyasa Big Bullets the target of securing the Flames return to Afcon.

Pasuwa has since said he is ready for the challenge.

"I am filled with a sense of pride, passion and responsibility. I am committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that our team represents our national dignity, pride, dedication, and success,” he said.

The former Dynamos player was appointed Flames caretaker in December last year and led the Flames to a 0-0 draw against Burundi and 3-0 win over Burkina Faso in the team’s last 2025 Afcon qualifying matches.

Pasuwa has transitioned from Bullets where he steered the record Malawi league champions to five consecutive domestic league titles since arriving from Zimbabwe in 2018.

The Zimbabwean’s stellar track record saw him emerge in the conversation for Amakhosi’s then-vacant job, before Tunisian Nasreddine Nabi’s appointment.

Pasuwa impressed as the Flames' caretaker in academic matches of the 2025 Afcon qualifiers.

Under his watch, the Flames held Burundi to a goalless draw before thrashing Burkina Faso 3-0 for the first win of the botched-up Afcon qualifiers.

Pasuw replaced Mabedi who was fired midway into his two-year contract following four straight defeats that condemned the Flames out of the qualification race for the Afcon finals.