Former FCB Nyasa Big Bullets wing forward Chikumbutso Salima has been named the 2025 FAM Men’s Footballer of the Year following an outstanding campaign that established him as one of the most influential players in Malawian football.
The award was presented during the FAM Awards ceremony held on Friday evening at Comesa Hall in Blantyre.
Salima earned the prestigious accolade after a remarkable run in the TNM Super League, where he scored 15 goals and provided 11 assists in 28 appearances.
His performances saw him finish as the league’s joint top scorer while also being crowned the 2025 TNM Super League Player of the Season.
The award marks Salima’s second Player of the Season honour after he scooped a similar accolade at last month’s 2025 TNM Super League Awards, where he was also officially recognised as the league’s joint top scorer with 15 goals alongside Babatunde Adepoju.
The dynamic attacker played a key role in Bullets’ attacking play, consistently delivering decisive moments with his pace, creativity and eye for goal.
Salima also made contributions in domestic cup competitions, featuring three times in the Airtel Top 8 where he scored once and earned a Man of the Match award. He also made two appearances in the FDH Bank Cup.
His performances earned him a nomination for the 2025 FAM Player of the Year award, where he triumphed ahead of Mighty Wanderers goalkeeper Dalitso Khungwa and his Bullets teammate Babatunde Adepoju.
In a televised message from Rwanda, Salima thanked the Bullets family — his former teammates, the club and supporters — for the unwavering support that shaped his 2025 season in Malawi.
“I would like to thank the Bullets family — my teammates, the club and all the fans — for the unwavering support throughout the season. Your belief and encouragement played a huge role in my performances. I am also grateful to everyone who voted for me.”
Salima scooped the biggest prize on the night and was also named in the 2025 FAM Men’s Best XI following a standout campaign before completing a move to Sudanese side Al-Merreikh.
Other Bullets-related honours saw Maxwell Phodo win the Castel Challenge Cup Player of the Tournament and Golden Boot, Innocent Nyasulu named Goalkeeper of the Tournament, while former Bullets forward Babatunde Adepoju claimed the FDH Bank Cup Golden Boot.
