Malawi national team coach, Kalisto Pasuwa says real progress in football takes time—and with the right support, the Flames can rise. Reflecting on the nation’s footballing journey since independence, Pasuwa urged patience and consistent backing for coaches working to build competitive teams.
“You can’t jump from zero to seven,” Pasuwa said after Malawi’s 1-1 draw with Botswana at Bingu National Stadium. “You go step by step—and I think we’re on the way. If you give us time, we can get there.”
The match, played as part of Malawi’s 61st Independence Day celebrations, saw the Flames dominate early but concede in the second half to a goal from Botswana’s Tebogo Kopelang. Malawi equalized late through Wisdom Mpinganjira, but stumbled in the penalty shootout, missing all three attempts. Botswana converted three of their four kicks to secure the win.
President Lazarus Chakwera and Botswana’s Duma Gideon Boko presented medals to both teams.
Pasuwa praised Malawi’s first-half performance and noted an improvement in attacking intent. However, he pointed to familiar struggles in the final third, calling it a recurring issue.
“We’re solid from the back moving forward, but it’s in the final third where we need to be sharper. We’ve identified the areas—we just need time to fix them,” he said.
Botswana coach Morena Morebodi commended both teams and thanked Malawi for the warm reception.
“It was a tough match and a great experience for our younger players. The energy from the crowd was fantastic. It’s these kinds of matches that prepare players for real international pressure,” Morebodi said.
Despite the draw, the event showcased Malawi’s enduring passion for football and underlined a growing belief: with structure, patience, and vision, the next chapter of Malawian football could be its most promising yet.
