FCB Nyasa Big Bullets forward Babatunde Adepoju, currently on loan from South Africa’s Venda Football Club, has received a historic first call-up to the Malawi National Football Team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Equatorial Guinea and São Tomé and Príncipe next month.
The Nigerian-born striker, who officially acquired Malawian citizenship through naturalisation last month, has long expressed his desire to represent the country.
In his Maule Talks interview in July, Babatunde spoke passionately about what Malawi means to him:
Babatunde in July: “It’s my wish because Malawi as a nation has given me a lot. I’m a successful footballer in Malawi, so definitely I’d like to give back to the nation if an opportunity comes.”
Babatunde first featured in Malawian football with the now-disbanded Masters Security in 2017, the year he arrived in the country, before moving on to Mighty Wanderers.
In 2021, he crossed to the red side of Blantyre, signing for Bullets and immediately making his mark. His exploits earned him a move to Venda Football Club in South Africa at the end of the 2022 season, but he returned to The People’s Team on loan last year, where he continues to lead the line.
With Bullets, he has made 114 appearances, scored 67 goals, and collected seven major trophies as well as three Golden Boot awards across his two spells.
The forward has also been in outstanding form this season, registering 15 goals and six assists in 23 games in all competitions.
He now joins fellow Bullets stars Yankho Singo and Chikumbutso Salima in Kalisto Pasuwa’s Flames squad, which will host Equatorial Guinea on 9 October at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe before travelling to Tunis for the away clash against São Tomé and Príncipe on 13 October.
Babatunde’s call-up is not just a personal milestone but also a proud moment for The People’s Team. He now has the chance to carry his club form onto the international stage and make an impact for Malawi on the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
