FCB Nyasa Big Bullets is thrilled to confirm that Frank Willard has penned a new deal, committing his stay with the club until July 2028.
At 25 years old, the defensive midfielder began his journey with Bullets in 2020, starting out in the reserves. In 2022, he had a brief spell with MAFCO before rejoining The People’s Team just a few months after his departure, making 71 appearances to date.
In an interview with the club media following his contract extension, Willard expressed his excitement about continuing his journey with Malawi’s most esteemed club. Having missed the majority of last season due to injury, he is eager to start anew and contribute in the upcoming campaign.
“I’m so excited to sign a new contract. Staying with Bullets is something I deeply cherish. I’m incredibly grateful to God for this opportunity to extend my stay here. It’s been a challenging journey, but this club is my home. I had offers from other teams, but I chose to stay because I feel a strong connection here,” he shared.
A key figure in the 2023 quadruple-winning season, Willard was the second most-used player with 32 appearances in all competitions. However, he faced a setback when he suffered an injury during our scoreless TNM Super League match against Blue Eagles, limiting him to just 19 games for the campaign.
Despite the setback, Willard remains optimistic as he stated: “It was tough [after picking up that injury], especially since football is my livelihood. But I understood it’s part of the game. I accepted the situation, recovered, and I’m now focused on the new season.
“The way the club stood by me during such a difficult time was incredible. They went above and beyond to ensure I received the best care, and I’m genuinely grateful for everything they did.”
Born in Ndirande, the gritty and determined Malawian midfielder, reflected on the coaching transition at the club from Kalisto Pasuwa to Peter Mponda.
“I worked under Pasuwa, but Mponda was here as well during that time. I’m familiar with his coaching style and what he expects from players, so it won’t be hard to align with his vision.”
While a recent injury disrupted his pre-season preparations, Willard has now returned to training ahead of the start of the 2025 season.
