Chikumbutso Salima has withdrawn from the Malawi National Football Team squad for this month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers after sustaining an injury during FCB Nyasa Big Bullets’ 2-1 TNM Super League victory over Silver Strikers at Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday.
The pacey winger, who has been instrumental for Bullets this season with nine goals and eight assists, was stretchered off in the 78th minute after being tackled by Silver Strikers and Flames goalkeeper George Chikooka in the build-up to the penalty he won.
Hassan Kajoke converted from the spot to inspire The People’s Team to a hard-fought victory over the Central Bankers.
Before the injury, Salima was among the three FCB Nyasa Big Bullets players called up by Flames head coach Kalisto Pasuwa for the October World Cup qualifiers against Equatorial Guinea and São Tomé and Príncipe.
Confirming his absence, Pasuwa told the press during his pre-match conference on Wednesday ahead of Thursday’s clash against Equatorial Guinea at Bingu National Stadium that the winger would not take part in the two matches.
“We also have Chikumbutso Salima. He got injured last week when he played a league match in Blantyre. So again, he is not part of the team for the two games,” said Pasuwa.
This is the second time Salima has missed Flames games, having also been ruled out of last month’s match against Liberia due to illness.
The 23-year-old has four senior national team caps and last featured for the Flames at the COSAFA Cup tournament in June in South Africa.
Following his withdrawal, Yankho Singo and Babatunde Adepoju are the two FCB Nyasa Big Bullets players remaining in the Flames camp for this month’s qualifiers.
After Thursday’s home fixture, The Flames will travel to Tunis to face São Tomé and Príncipe next Monday.
