# Malawi national football team

The Malawi national football team (Chichewa: Timu ya dziko la Malawi) represents Malawi in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Malawi. Before 1966, it was known as the Nyasaland national football team.
Known as the Flames, Malawi has qualified for three Africa Cup of Nations, in 1984, 2010 and 2021. They also won the CECAFA Cup in 1978, 1979 and 1988 and finished fourth in the 2024 Four Nations Football Tournament.

## History
### Coaches

The first full-time coach of the Malawi national football team was Ron Meades. The British Council arranged for his appointment through the English Football Association to coach the team for the Republic Celebrations, playing Madagascar and Zambia. Ray Batchelor was coach for four years from 11 November 1967 to 10 October 1971, guiding the team in 23 friendly matches and two Olympic Games. Players during this time included future coaches in Henry Moyo, Brian Griffin, and Yasin Osman. Other coaches included Brazilian Wander Moreira, British Ted Powell, and the first locally-born coach, Alex Masanjala, who was appointed as an interim before Henry Moyo. Moyo was the first former national player to coach the Flames, and stayed in the position for five years. As of January 2019, only nine coaches had been in charge for more than 20 games. The most successful coaches were Powell, Moyo, and Kim Splidsboel (2000–2002) from Denmark.

### Tournaments

Malawi first qualified for an African Cup of Nations in 1984, when only eight teams competed in the tournament in Ivory Coast. After a 3-0 defeat against Algeria, World Cup participants in 1982 and 1986, the Malawi drew 2-2 in the second game against eventual finalists Nigeria. With a 0–1 loss against Ghana, Malawi ended the group stage with 1 point at the bottom of the table and was eliminated from the tournament.
After 26 years, Malawi took part in an Africa Cup of Nations again in 2010. The team benefited from the fact that the continental elimination round for the 2010 FIFA World Cup also served as the qualifying round for AFCON. In the group matches of the third round, Malawi, third place behind Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso and with a record of only four points and 4–11 goal difference, was enough to make it to the continental finals.
At the tournament in Angola, Kinnah Phiri's team caused a big surprise. In the first group game, Malawi defeated Algeria, which had qualified for the World Cup, 3-0. One of the goalscorers was striker Russel Mwafulirwa, who at the time was under contract for the Swedish first division club IFK Norrköping and was thus one of only two players in the 23-man squad active in Europe. Malawi lost the second game against hosts Angola, 2-0.
For Malawi to have reached the quarter-finals for the first time, a draw in the last group game would have been enough. However, the team lost 3-1 to Mali. After just three minutes, the Malawians were 2-0 down, a goal from Mwafulirwa did nothing to avert the team's elimination.

## Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Win  Draw  Loss  Fixture

### 2024
## Coaching staff

| Position | Name |
| Head Coach | Callisto Pasuwa |
| 1st Assistant coach | Peter Mponda |
| 2nd Assistant coach | Macdonald Mtetemela |
| Goalkeeping coach | Simplex Nthala |
| Team manager | James Sangala |
| Fitness Coach | Peter Mgangira |
| Technical Adviser | Aubrey Nankhuni |
| Data Analyst | Taonga Chimodzi |
| Physiotherapist | Dexter Killi |
| Team Doctor | Dr. Levison Mwale |
| Kitmaster | Richard Justin Lado |
| Media Manager | Gomegzani Zakazaka |
| Chaplain | Chancy Gondwe |
| Assistant Technical Manager | Steve Madeira |

### Coaching history

    Caretaker coaches are listed in italics
* Jack Chamangwana (1998–99)
* Young Chimodzi (1999–00)
* Kim Splidsboel (2000–02)
* Alan Gillett (2003)
* Edington Ng'onamo (2003–04)
* John Kaputa (2004)
* Yassin Osman (2004–05)
* Michael Hennigan (2005)
* Burkhard Ziese (2005–06)
* Kinnah Phiri (2006–07)
* Stephen Constantine (2007–08)
* Kinnah Phiri (2009–12)
* Edington Ng'onamo (2012–13)
* Tom Saintfiet (2013)
* Young Chimodzi (2014–15)
* Ernest Mtawali (2015–16)
* Ramadhan Nsanzurwimo (2016–17)
* Gerald Phiri Sr. (2017)
* Ronny Van Geneugden (2017–19)
* Meke Mwase (2019–2021)
* Mario Marinică (2021–2023)
* Patrick Mabedi (2023–2024)
* Kalisto Pasuwa (2024–present)

## Players
### Current squad

The following players were named to the squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group H matches against Namibia and Tunisia on 20 and 24 March 2025.
Caps and goals correct as of: 18 November 2024, after the match against Burkina Faso.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
| 1GK | George Chikooka | (1997-04-04) 4 April 1997 (age 27) | 5 | 0 | Silver Strikers |
| 1GK | William Thole | (1998-10-02) 2 October 1998 (age 26) | 5 | 0 | Simba Bhora |
| 1GK | Richard Chimbamba | (1998-06-23) 23 June 1998 (age 26) | 0 | 0 | Nyasa Big Bullets |
| 2DF | Dennis Chembezi | (1997-01-15) 15 January 1997 (age 28) | 53 | 0 | Al-Qasim |
| 2DF | Precious Sambani | (1998-05-21) 21 May 1998 (age 26) | 29 | 1 | Silver Strikers |
| 2DF | Gomezgani Chirwa | (1996-09-25) 25 September 1996 (age 28) | 27 | 0 | Ngezi Platinum |
| 2DF | Nickson Mwase | (1997-02-20) 20 February 1997 (age 28) | 17 | 0 | Silver Strikers |
| 3MF | Alick Lungu | (2002-03-24) 24 March 2002 (age 22) | 12 | 0 | Nyasa Big Bullets |
| 2DF | Nickson Nyasulu | (1998-03-03) 3 March 1998 (age 27) | 6 | 0 | Platinum |
| 2DF | McDonald Lameck | (1998-10-10) 10 October 1998 (age 26) | 4 | 0 | Silver Strikers |
| 2DF | Maxwell Paipi | (2002-05-04) 4 May 2002 (age 22) | 1 | 0 | Silver Strikers |
| 3MF | John Banda | (1993-08-20) 20 August 1993 (age 31) | 96 | 7 | Free agent |
| 3MF | Charles Petro | (2001-02-08) 8 February 2001 (age 24) | 32 | 0 | Botoșani |
| 3MF | Lloyd Aaron | (2003-01-08) 8 January 2003 (age 22) | 18 | 1 | Nyasa Big Bullets |
| 3MF | Lloyd Njaliwa | (1998-05-24) 24 May 1998 (age 26) | 11 | 0 | Costa do Sol |
| 3MF | Yankho Singo | (2000-04-01) 1 April 2000 (age 24) | 2 | 0 | Nyasa Big Bullets |
| 3MF | Chawanangwa Gumbo | (2002-03-25) 25 March 2002 (age 22) | 0 | 0 | Nyasa Big Bullets |
| 3MF | Wongani Lungu | (2002-03-09) 9 March 2002 (age 23) | 0 | 0 | Nyasa Big Bullets |
| 4FW | Gabadinho Mhango | (1992-09-27) 27 September 1992 (age 32) | 72 | 18 | Moroka Swallows |
| 4FW | Richard Mbulu | (1994-01-25) 25 January 1994 (age 31) | 43 | 6 | Costa do Sol |
| 3MF | Chawa | (1995-01-05) 5 January 1995 (age 30) | 31 | 4 | Zanaco |
| 4FW | Lanjesi Nkhoma | (2002-05-27) 27 May 2002 (age 22) | 19 | 4 | Don Bosco |
| 4FW | Patrick Mwaungulu | (2002-02-18) 18 February 2002 (age 23) | 16 | 1 | Don Bosco |
| 4FW | Wisdom Mpinganjira | (2002-07-08) 8 July 2002 (age 22) | 12 | 0 | Mighty Wanderers |
| 4FW | Gaddie Chirwa | (1997-11-30) 30 November 1997 (age 27) | 9 | 0 | Mighty Wanderers |
| 4FW | Zebron Kalima | (2002-05-13) 13 May 2002 (age 22) | 2 | 0 | Silver Strikers |
| 4FW | Ephraim Kondowe | (2002-01-02) 2 January 2002 (age 23) | 0 | 0 | Nyasa Big Bullets |
| 4FW | Chikumbutso Salima | (2003-12-27) 27 December 2003 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | Nyasa Big Bullets |

### Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up in 12 months preceding the above draft.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
| GK | Brighton Munthali | (1997-12-11) 11 December 1997 (age 27) | 37 | 0 | Blue Eagles | v. Senegal; 15 October 2024 |
| GK | Innocent Nyasulu | (1997-04-16) 16 April 1997 (age 27) | 2 | 0 | Mighty Tigers | v. Burkina Faso; 10 September 2024 |
| GK | Austin Chirambo | (2003-12-31) 31 December 2003 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | Nyasa Big Bullets | v. Zambia; 26 March 2024 |
| DF | Timothy Silwimba | (1999-05-05) 5 May 1999 (age 25) | 2 | 0 | Mighty Wanderers | v. Burkina Faso 18 November 2024 |
| DF | Stanley Sanudi | (1995-02-02) 2 February 1995 (age 30) | 93 | 1 | Mighty Wanderers | v. Senegal; 15 October 2024 |
| DF | Lawrence Chaziya | (1998-08-19) 19 August 1998 (age 26) | 17 | 2 | Mighty Wanderers | v. Senegal; 15 October 2024 |
| DF | Yamikani Mologeni | (2002-10-22) 22 October 2002 (age 22) | 0 | 0 | Nyasa Big Bullets | v. Senegal; 15 October 2024 |
| DF | Blessings Mpokera | (2002-04-02) 2 April 2002 (age 22) | 2 | 0 | Nyasa Big Bullets | v. Equatorial Guinea; 10 June 2024 |
| DF | Alex Kambilinya | | 0 | 0 | Wakawaka Tigers | v. Equatorial Guinea; 10 June 2024 |
| DF | Daniel Chimbalanga | (1999-01-19) 19 January 1999 (age 26) | 3 | 0 | MAFCO | v. Zambia; 26 March 2024 |
| DF | Joseph Balakasi | (2002-04-12) 12 April 2002 (age 22) | 1 | 0 | Dedza Dynamos | v. Zambia; 26 March 2024 |
| DF | Chimwemwe Nkhoma | | 0 | 0 | Mighty Wanderers | v. Zambia; 26 March 2024 |
| MF | Chimwemwe Idana | (1998-09-07) 7 September 1998 (age 26) | 57 | 0 | Silver Strikers | v. Senegal; 15 October 2024 |
| MF | Robert Saizi | (2003-07-05) 5 July 2003 (age 21) | 12 | 1 | Nyasa Big Bullets | v. Senegal; 15 October 2024 |
| MF | Chifundo Mphasi | (2004-10-17) 17 October 2004 (age 20) | 15 | 2 | Shamuel | v. Senegal; 11 October 2024$^{PRE}$ |
| MF | Patrick Macheso | (1997-05-07) 7 May 1997 (age 27) | 2 | 0 | Silver Strikers | v. Burkina Faso; 10 September 2024 |
| MF | Crispin Mapemba | (2004-11-09) 9 November 2004 (age 20) | 2 | 0 | Nyasa Big Bullets | v. Equatorial Guinea; 10 June 2024 |
| MF | Francisco Madinga | (2000-02-11) 11 February 2000 (age 25) | 14 | 0 | Mighty Wanderers | v. Zambia; 26 March 2024 |
| FW | Zeliat Nkhoma | (1993-10-22) 22 October 1993 (age 31) | 3 | 1 | Kamuzu Barracks | v. Burkina Faso 18 November 2024 |
| FW | Christopher Kumwembe | (1997-01-21) 21 January 1997 (age 28) | 9 | 1 | Mighty Wanderers | v. Equatorial Guinea; 10 June 2024 |
| FW | Olson Kanjira | (1995-03-29) 29 March 1995 (age 29) | 2 | 0 | Kamuzu Barracks | v. Zambia; 26 March 2024 |
| FW | Clement Nyondo | (1998-08-08) 8 August 1998 (age 26) | 0 | 0 | Mighty Wanderers | v. Zambia; 26 March 2024 |

## Records

    As of 18 November 2024
    Players in bold are still active with Malawi.

### Most appearances

| Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | Career |
| 1 | Young Chimodzi | 159 | 13 | 1979–1995 |
| 2 | Jack Chamangwana | 133 | 10 | 1975–1985 |
| 3 | Lawrence Waya | 129 | 28 | 1982–1996 |
| 4 | Harry Waya | 126 | 8 | 1977–1987 |
| 5 | Kinnah Phiri | 117 | 71 | 1973–1981 |
| 6 | Gilbert Chirwa | 112 | 4 | 1981–1993 |
| 7 | Jonathan Billie | 110 | 8 | 1978–1987 |
| 8 | Joseph Kamwendo | 104 | 6 | 2003–2017 |
| 9 | Felix Nyirongo | 103 | 2 | 1986–1997 |
| 10 | Peter Mponda | 102 | 1 | 1998–2011 |

### Top goalscorers

| Rank | Player | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
| 1 | Kinnah Phiri | 71 | 117 | 0.61 | 1973–1981 |
| 2 | Frank Sinalo | 28 | 75 | 0.37 | 1981–1989 |
| 2 | Lawrence Waya | 28 | 129 | 0.22 | 1982–1996 |
| 4 | Stock Dandize | 23 | 70 | 0.33 | 1977–1983 |
| 5 | Yasin Osman | 22 | 67 | 0.33 | 1966–1975 |
| 5 | Essau Kanyenda | 22 | 72 | 0.31 | 1999–2015 |
| 5 | Chiukepo Msowoya | 22 | 89 | 0.25 | 2006–2023 |
| 8 | Peterkins Kayira | 18 | 68 | 0.26 | 1983–1989 |
| 8 | Gabadinho Mhango | 18 | 72 | 0.25 | 2012–present |
| 10 | Barnet Gondwe | 17 | 66 | 0.26 | 1976–1981 |

## Competition records
### FIFA World Cup

| FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record |
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
| 1966 | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member |
| 1970 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1974 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1978 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| 1982 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 1986 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 |
| 1990 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 |
| 1994 | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew |
| 1998 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 2002 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 12 |
| 2006 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 12 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 15 | 27 |
| 2010 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 12 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 18 | 16 |
| 2014 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| 2018 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2022 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 12 |
| 2026 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| 2030 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| 2034 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| Total | | 0/14 | | | | | | | | 70 | 18 | 17 | 35 | 63 | 98 |

### Africa Cup of Nations

| Africa Cup of Nations record | Africa Cup of Nations record | Africa Cup of Nations record | Africa Cup of Nations record | Africa Cup of Nations record | Africa Cup of Nations record | Africa Cup of Nations record | Africa Cup of Nations record | Africa Cup of Nations record | Africa Cup of Nations record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record |
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Squad | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
| 1965 | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF |
| 1968 | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF |
| 1970 | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF |
| 1972 | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF |
| 1974 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1976 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 9 |
| 1978 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| 1980 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 7 |
| 1982 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 1984 | Group stage | 7th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | Squad | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 |
| 1986 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 1988 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 1990 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 4 |
| 1992 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 9 |
| 1994 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| 1996 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 7 |
| 1998 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 10 |
| 2000 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| 2002 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| 2004 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 10 |
| 2006 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 12 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 15 | 27 |
| 2008 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| 2010 | Group stage | 11th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | Squad | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 5 |
| 2012 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 8 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 13 | 8 |
| 2013 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
| 2015 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 9 |
| 2017 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 9 |
| 2019 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| 2021 | Round of 16 | 13th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Squad | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| 2023 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 10 |
| 2025 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| 2027 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| 2029 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| Total | Round of 16 | 3/34 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 15 | | 116 | 32 | 30 | 54 | 125 | 175 |

### African Games

| Year | Result | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
| 1965 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 1973 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 1978 | 4th | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 11 |
| 1987 | 3rd | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 4 |
| Total | 2/4 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 10 | 15 |

## Head-to-head record

As of 18 November 2024 after match against Burkina Faso
More wins than losses  As many wins as losses  Fewer wins than losses
| Opponent | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| Algeria | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 13 | −7 |
| Angola | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 10 | −2 |
| Bangladesh | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Benin | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Botswana | 25 | 12 | 8 | 5 | 47 | 21 | +26 |
| Burkina Faso | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 13 | −5 |
| Burundi | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 9 | −3 |
| Cameroon | 11 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 19 | −13 |
| Chad | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 15 | 10 | +5 |
| Comoros | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 3 | +4 |
| Congo | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | −2 |
| Djibouti | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 1 | +16 |
| DR Congo | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 9 | −1 |
| Egypt | 12 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 20 | −12 |
| Eritrea | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 |
| Eswatini | 28 | 11 | 12 | 5 | 41 | 22 | +19 |
| Ethiopia | 14 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 13 | 14 | –1 |
| Equatorial Guinea | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | –1 |
| Gabon | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 |
| Ghana | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 17 | −17 |
| Guinea | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 14 | −5 |
| Ivory Coast | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 17 | −9 |
| Kenya | 48 | 19 | 18 | 11 | 61 | 50 | +11 |
| Lesotho | 23 | 13 | 6 | 4 | 46 | 16 | +30 |
| Liberia | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | −1 |
| Libya | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | −2 |
| Madagascar | 10 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 12 | 21 | −9 |
| Mali | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 8 | −3 |
| Mauritius | 21 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 33 | 19 | +14 |
| Morocco | 11 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 17 | −13 |
| Mozambique | 37 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 37 | 34 | +3 |
| Namibia | 16 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 16 | 21 | −5 |
| Nigeria | 8 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 20 | −11 |
| Réunion | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | +6 |
| Rwanda | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 9 | +7 |
| São Tomé and Príncipe | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 |
| Senegal | 7 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 14 | −8 |
| Seychelles | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5 |
| Sierra Leone | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 5 | +9 |
| Somalia | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 |
| South Africa | 14 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 5 | 20 | −15 |
| South Sudan | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Sudan | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 |
| Tanzania | 56 | 17 | 25 | 14 | 62 | 54 | +8 |
| Togo | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 |
| Tunisia | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 17 | −9 |
| Uganda | 32 | 9 | 9 | 14 | 33 | 39 | −6 |
| Yemen | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 |
| Zambia | 82 | 20 | 17 | 45 | 70 | 173 | −103 |
| Zanzibar | 15 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 34 | 10 | +24 |
| Zimbabwe | 67 | 19 | 23 | 25 | 64 | 85 | −21 |
| Total | 673 | 224 | 198 | 251 | 787 | 869 | −82 |

## Honours
### Continental

* Football at the African Games
** Bronze medal (1): 1987

### Regional

* CECAFA Cup
** Champions (3): 1978, 1979, 1988
** Runners-up (3): 1975, 1984, 1989
** Third place (3): 1977, 1980, 1985