Disciplinary Breach Costs Sanudi, Idana a Spot in Flames Squad

Malawi’s most capped player, right-back Stanley Sanudi, and attacking midfielder Chimwemwe Idana have been omitted from the Flames squad set to face Burundi and Burkina Faso in upcoming qualifiers.

This decision follows a disciplinary issue that occurred after the team’s 4-0 loss to Senegal in a 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Group L qualifier held in Dakar.

Sanudi and Idana, who play for Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and Silver Strikers respectively, left the Flames’ dressing room shortly after the match to visit the Lions of Teranga squad.

The players took photos and exchanged jerseys with Senegalese star Sadio Mane and his teammates, missing part of the team’s post-match debrief in the process.

Upon their late arrival back to the dressing room, they were met with disapproval, and then-head coach Patrick Mabedi dropped them from the squad for the return leg in Lilongwe, which Malawi lost 1-0.

With Kalisto Pasuwa and assistant coach Peter Mponda now leading the team, the duo has once again been left out of the squad. It remains uncertain if they will face a formal disciplinary hearing regarding the incident or if their status will simply remain ambiguous.