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2026 World Cup qualifier
CAF Group H
Malawi v Sao Tome and Principe
Bingu National Stadium
Lilongwe, Malawi
Thursday, 6 June 2024
Kick-off is at 15h00
Malawi head coach Patrick Mabedi will be relying heavily on home-based players for the
2026 World Cup qualifier against Sao Tome and Principe at the Bingu National Stadium on Thursday, June 6.
Mabedi's 26-man squad contains just six players who ply their trade outside the country and Moroka Swallows striker Gabadinho Mhango is a notable absentee.
Mhango featured for the Flames in a Four Nations tournament in March and his seven goals helped the Dube Birds avoid relegation from the DStv Premiership this past season.
However, the majority of the players selected hail from Nyasa Big Bullets and Mighty Wanderers - two of the country's most successful clubs.
Mabedi's side are three points behind Group H leaders Tunisia in fourth place, having kicked off their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Liberia on November 17 before succumbing to a 1-0 defeat against the Eagles of Carthage four days later.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) Communications Director Gomezgani Zakazaka revealed last month that locally-based players would be given a chance to stake a claim in Mabedi's future plans.
"During the camp, players will be allowed to return to their respective clubs to fulfil club assignments where necessary. [Mighty] Wanderers and Silver Strikers players will join the camp later due to club engagements as the play in a Kamuzu Day celebrations ceremonial match," Zakazaka was quoted as saying by Malawi24.
"It is expected that the team will travel to Lilongwe on 27th May 2024 to continue with its preparations for the two matches. The list of foreign-based players will be released later on."
The Falcons and True Parrots will be looking to put their first points on the board this month after suffering back-to-back defeats in November.
Adriano Eusebio's side slumped to a 4-0 loss against Tunisia on November 17 and followed it up with a 2-0 reverse to Namibia four days later.
However, Atlantic Ocean island minnows have been given hope after Equatorial Guinea forfeited their opening two matches against the Brave Warriors and the Lone Stars due to a FIFA ruling on Emilio Nsue's ineligibility, with the striker scoring in both qualifiers.
It means that Sao Tome and Principe have moved up to fifth spot above the National Thunder, who now bring up the rear in the group.
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