Ethiopia vs Malawi Prediction, Lineups, H2H, Match Preview

Ethiopia host Malawi in a Friendly International on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, with FIFA listing the fixture at Dire Dawa Stadium in Dire Dawa and the exact kickoff time yet to be confirmed. The match comes three days after Ethiopia beat Malawi 1-0 at the same venue, so this is a quick rematch with fresh selection evidence for both coaches.

The Walia are using the June window to prepare for AFCON 2027 qualifying, while Malawi’s Flames are testing attacking combinations under Kalisto Pasuwa. This Ethiopia vs Malawi prediction weighs the first friendly, team news, lineups, H2H, recent form and the tactical changes both sides can make in the second meeting.

Match Details

Ethiopia vs Malawi Match Prediction

Ethiopia should start as slight favorites because they already beat Malawi in Dire Dawa and can play the second match with home rhythm. Yohannes Sahle’s side do not need to change the whole plan, but they need more control after scoring because Malawi grew into the first game and pushed through the front line.

Malawi have enough evidence to make the rematch closer. Pasuwa’s team created pressure through Kumwembe, Mphasi and Nyirenda after the early setback, so the main improvement is finishing. If Malawi start faster, Ethiopia will have to defend longer spells than they did on Saturday.

Prediction: Ethiopia 1-1 Malawi. Ethiopia have the venue edge and the latest win, but a second friendly in four days usually gives the losing coach a clearer adjustment path.

Ethiopia vs Malawi Predicted Lineups

Official starting XIs are yet to be confirmed, so the projected teams below use the first friendly, available squad notes and likely rotation needs. Ethiopia should keep a compact 4-2-3-1, while Malawi can continue with a front line that keeps Kumwembe central and Mphasi active from wide areas.

The Ethiopia national football team vs Malawi national football team lineups will update if FIFA publishes official XIs before kickoff. Until then, the card uses a projected view built around the most recent verified team information.

Ethiopia

4-2-3-1

1Said HabtamuEthiopian CoffeeGK

2Amanuel YohannesSaint GeorgeRB

4Mignot DebebeSaint GeorgeCB

5Yared BayehSidama CoffeeCB

3Remedan YesufFasil KenemaLB

6Gatoch PanomFasil KenemaCDM

8Surafel DagnachewFasil KenemaCM

10Shimelis BekeleEthiopian CoffeeAM

7Dawa HotessaWolkite CityRW

9Kenean MarknehDefence ForceST

11Abubeker NasirEthiopian CoffeeLW

Malawi

4-3-3

16William TholeMighty Mukuru WanderersGK

2Lameck McDonaldFOMO FCRB

3Petro CharlesSilver StrikersCB

5Dennis ChembeziIraq SCCB

6Aaron LloydMighty Mukuru WanderersLB

8Lloyd NjaliwaSilver StrikersCM

10Francisco MadingaMighty Mukuru WanderersAM

7Mhango MwishoFOMO FCRW

11Chifundo MphasiKabwe WarriorsLW

9Christopher KumwembeMighty Mukuru WanderersST

20Emmanuel NyirendaNyasa Big BulletsFW

Projected lineup view · Ethiopia vs Malawi · official XIs yet to be confirmed

Key Players to Watch

Shimelis Bekele gives Ethiopia a calm link between midfield and attack, especially if Malawi press higher than they did in the first match. Abubeker Nasir remains the forward with the clearest penalty-box threat, while Gatoch Panom can protect Ethiopia against transitions.

Malawi need Chifundo Mphasi and Christopher Kumwembe to turn promising possession into shots. Francisco Madinga can connect midfield to attack, and Petro Charles gives the Flames leadership at the back. If those four play well, Malawi can make the rematch far more even.

Ethiopia vs Malawi Match Preview

Ethiopia’s 1-0 win on June 6 gives this rematch a direct storyline. The Walia proved they can hurt Malawi early in Dire Dawa, but the first match also showed that the Flames can settle and push numbers forward. That makes the first 20 minutes important again.

Malawi’s camp is built around AFCON preparation, so Pasuwa needs more than a result. He needs clearer attacking patterns, better timing around the box and a stronger response after losing the first friendly. Ethiopia will want a cleaner second-half performance so they do not invite pressure after taking control.

Malawi Team News

Malawi are in Ethiopia for two June friendlies, and the first game gave Pasuwa a clear selection reference. FAM listed William Thole, Lameck McDonald, Petro Charles, Dennis Chembezi, Lloyd Njaliwa, Francisco Madinga, Chifundo Mphasi, Christopher Kumwembe and Emmanuel Nyirenda in the starting group from the narrow defeat.

Pasuwa said before the camp that Malawi wanted sharper attacking output while keeping defensive stability. The first game showed why that balance matters because Malawi grew into the match after conceding early, yet the Flames did not take the chance that would have changed the result.

Ethiopia Team News

Ethiopia stay in Dire Dawa after the 1-0 win over Malawi on June 6, so Yohannes Sahle can work from a stronger baseline. The Walia controlled the decisive moment early, then managed enough of the game to protect the lead against a Malawi side that improved after halftime.

Sahle may still rotate because this is the second meeting in four days. Ethiopia need another look at their forward options before AFCON 2027 qualifying, and home conditions in Dire Dawa give them a chance to test pressing intensity without long travel.

Ethiopia vs Malawi Head to Head Record

Ethiopia’s latest 1-0 win adds to a recent H2H record that already included a 4-0 win in 2021 and a 0-0 draw in 2023. Malawi’s strongest recent answer came in 2022, when the Flames beat Ethiopia 2-1 during AFCON qualifying.

The recent record points to a tight matchup, not a one-sided rivalry. Ethiopia have the latest edge and the home venue, while Malawi have enough familiar opponents from the first friendly to adjust quickly. That is why the rematch prediction stays close.

Ethiopia vs Malawi H2H Record

Ethiopia

2

Recent Wins

Recent meetings4

Draws1

Last meetingEthiopia 1-0 Malawi, 2026

Biggest recent winEthiopia 4-0 Malawi

AFCON qualifying meetings2

Malawi

1

Recent Wins

Recent senior meetingsEthiopia beat Malawi 1-0 in Dire Dawa on June 6, 2026. The teams also drew 0-0 in 2023 after Ethiopia won 4-0 in 2021 and Malawi won 2-1 in 2022.

Ethiopia Recent Form – Last 5 Matches

Ethiopia’s recent form has improved with the June 6 win and the March AFCON qualifying victory over Sao Tome and Principe. The Walia also produced a 6-1 World Cup qualifying win over Djibouti, so they have shown they can score when the game opens early.

The Egypt defeat still shows the gap Ethiopia face against stronger opponents, yet this friendly is a different test. They need to manage possession, avoid cheap turnovers and make the most of home conditions at Dire Dawa Stadium.

Malawi Recent Form – Last 5 Matches

Malawi’s recent form is mixed. The Flames lost the first Ethiopia friendly and also fell 1-0 to Botswana, but they beat Lesotho and produced a 3-0 World Cup qualifying win over Equatorial Guinea in late 2025.

Pasuwa’s main concern is chance conversion. Malawi can build attacks through Madinga, Mphasi and Kumwembe, but the first friendly showed that missed moments get punished quickly at this level.

Ethiopia vs Malawi Tactical Preview

Ethiopia should keep two midfield screens so their attacking midfielders can press without leaving space behind them. Bekele’s positioning matters because he can either connect Nasir early or slow the match when Ethiopia need control.

Malawi need a faster start and more support around Kumwembe. If the Flames leave him isolated, Ethiopia can defend crosses and restart attacks. If Mphasi and Nyirenda stay close, Malawi can force Ethiopia into deeper defending than they faced in the first game.

How to Watch Ethiopia vs Malawi Live

Fans can follow the TV and streaming information through the Ethiopia vs Malawi live stream article. Viewers should also check the Ethiopia football TV schedule and Malawi football TV schedule as matchday listings update.

The wider World Cup 2026 schedule is separate from this friendly, but the same readers often follow both because these June matches shape form before the next competitive window.

Frequently Asked Questions

Read Also: Ethiopia vs Malawi live stream and Ethiopia vs Malawi live score.