Big Bullets award outstanding players
Nyasa Big Bullets players will share K35 million for winning the TNM Super League title and the FDH Cup in the just-ended seson.
The People’s Team also came second in the Airtel Top 8 competition.
The team’s president Konrad Buckle made the announcement on Friday night during the team’s end-of-the season awards presentation ceremony at Comesa Hall in Blantyre.
Initially, the players would have received K26 million as their cut for clinching the two trophies, but the president has added K9 million to the amount to make it K35 million.
As if this was not enough, all Bullets players, who received awards during the event, will get K750 000 each and spend a night at Amaryllis Hotel.
Just after the announcement, players welcomed the news by singing while dancing with captain John Lanjesi holding the microphone to lead the team in song.
On the night, goalkeeper Clever Mkungula who was promoted last year from the reserve team, was voted Goalkeeper of the Season while defender Precious Sambani was named Best Defender of the Season.
Best midfielder for the Season went to Ernest Petro while Babatunde Adepoju was named Best Striker. The Nigerian netted 24 goals in all competitions. He is the league’s and FDH Cup top goal scorer for scoring 18 goals and four respectively. He also scored a goal in the Airtel Top 8.
Attacking midfielder Patrick Mwaungulu, also promoted last year from their reserve side, was named Discovery of the Season. Playing in his first season with the main team, he scored 10 goals and provided 21 assists in all competitions.
Right-back Gomezgani Chirwa, who scored seven goals, was named Player of the Season while attacking midfielder Chikumbutso Salima was voted Player of the Season from Bullets’ reserve team.
Speaking on behalf of the winners, Chirwa thanked supporters, coaches and teammates for helping him realise his dream.
“God has been with me through and through. It was a good season for me but not good enough as I need to adjust so that I give more to the club. As a team, our next focus should be the Confederation of African Football [CAF] club competition where we haven’t done well,” he said.
On his part, Buckle said players deserve to be awarded for the tremendous work they showed in the just-ended season.
“About 14 players were offloaded and we promoted about nine from our reserve team. It was a difficult moment but, look, we ended up winning two trophies which is not a joke. I need to thank them and coaches for the job well done,” he said.
Sulom vice-president Brigadier Gilbert Mitawa commended Bullets for such an event and encouraged them to continue working hard.
The team also recognised legends Kinnah Phiri, Lawrence ‘Teacher’ Waya and Kanjedza Kamwendo, who played for Bullets. They also awarded Bullets Reserves coach Enos Chatama and president’s award went to main team coach Kalisto Pasuwa.
For winning the league, Bullets received K40 million. They also got K25 million for winning the FHD Bank Cup and pocketed K6 million for finishing second in the Airtel Top 8 Cup.
