Willard earns first player of the month nomination

By Antony Isaiah Jr

Frank Willard who was signed back from Mafco Football Club during the mid-season transfer window has earned Nyasa Big Bullets’ nomination for the award of the player of the month of August.

Willard was sent packing by the Club after graduating from Enos Chatama’s Nyasa Big Bulles reserve before joining the Salima based Soldiers, Mafco Football earlier this year.

The people’s team coach, Kalisto Pasuwa recalled him back to the club to add quality in his midfield after releasing the veteran Chimango Kaira who had been the pillar for the Club for years after noting some gaps.

Willard made his first appearance for the Club when he came off the bench in a game that Nyasa Big Bullets beat Moyale Barracks on penalties in the FDH Bank Cup.

The defending midfielder has been one of the outstanding players in the engine room for the Super League Champions, a performance that spurred fans to call him Chimango Kaira’s successor.

The former Captain, Chimango Kaira who is currently playing for Ferroviario De Vlanculo took his time to praise the the young lad for his impressive performance saying he has a lion’s heart.

“I have been following the proceedings after my departure at Nyasa Big Bullets Football club and I must concede that the transition we have seen taking shape at the club is oozing flair and flamboyance

“We have seen talent coming through from the reserves and elsewhere and the boys look very promising as they gel together. I would like to take an opportunity and recognize one of the boys taking care of the deep 6 hole. Playing for a very demanding coach in that position requires a lion heart.

“Wishing you great seasons ahead young man,” said Kaira.

Willard has been shining in big games including the grudge Blantyre Derby that oozed goals, 3 apiece, Caf Champions League game against Simba Sporting Club among others.

Willard is a player who is very physically fit and have a high work rate due to the large amount of defensive responsibilities involved in his position, comfortable receiving and passing the ball as and he acts as a link between the goalkeeper, defence, and the rest of the team.

He also has very high tactical understanding of their role and the game, and have excellent spatial awareness and he often touches the ball more than anyone else on the field.

Other nominees for the award this month are defender Precious Sambani and striker Babatunde Adepojou.

Both Sambani and Babatunde Adepoju have three nominations for the award each since it was launched months ago by Hubertus Clausius.

Chimwemwe Idana, Patrick Mwaungulu and Precious Sambani have already won the award once each since it was rolled out in May this year.

The winner walks away with money amounting to K100,000 and a miniature.