FCB Nyasa Big Bullets held an educational workshop for players and technical staff on Easter Monday in Blantyre as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen both on-field performance and off-field development.
The session covered the Laws of the Game, mental resilience and peer support, as well as financial investment—equipping The People’s Team ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Laws of the Game
Players and technical staff received a detailed refresher on the Laws of the Game, with CAF referees instructor Michael Makoto taking them through the latest updates.
Makoto emphasised the importance of keeping up with the evolving nature of football regulations.
“Football is dynamic and the laws keep changing. Many players are still living in the past and are not aware of what has changed and how to apply it.”
He also highlighted the role of coaches in improving players’ understanding of the rules.
“It starts with the coaches. For a coach to be effective, they must first understand and teach the Laws of the Game to their players.”
Makoto added that a better understanding of the rules can directly improve discipline and performance on the pitch.
“Every game is controlled by the laws, and the referee enforces them. When players understand and respect decisions, it improves the standard of football.”
Mental resilience and peer support
Mental resilience and peer support formed a key part of the workshop, with social counsellor Madalo Haji addressing the psychological demands faced by modern footballers.
Haji pointed to growing external pressures, including scrutiny from supporters, social media and the media, with attention often focused on their mistakes and personal lives.
“Players face a lot of public scrutiny—from supporters, social media and journalists—often with people focusing on their mistakes as well as their daily lives.”
She encouraged players to rely on support systems within the team environment.
“To handle pressure, players should seek support from teammates, coaches and professionals. Teamwork is very important.”
She stressed that building a strong team goes beyond what happens on the pitch.
“A team is not only the players on the pitch—it includes the technical panel and everyone involved. For a team to succeed, they must work together.”
She also emphasised the importance of mental awareness in maintaining focus.
“Players must take care of their mental health—how they think, how they approach situations, and how they relate to others both on and off the pitch.”
Club captain Frank Willard welcomed the initiative, highlighting its impact on the squad.
“First of all, I would like to commend the club for organising this workshop. It’s very important for us as players, and I believe the knowledge we’ve gained will transform our lives going forward.”
“The session that stood out for me was on mental resilience. I believe it will make a big difference in our playing careers and our lives.”
Financial investment
Players were also taken through financial investment principles by financial education facilitator Chisomo Dambo Malizani, who emphasised the importance of planning for the future.
He likened financial growth to the game of football, stressing the importance of timing.
“Money-making is like a game. Just like football, it is governed by rules. Players are at their peak—marketable and valuable—but football is a short career.”
Malizani warned against poor financial habits and encouraged long-term planning.
“If players don’t plan now, they risk a difficult future. Injuries, retirement and other factors can end their earning ability, so it’s important to budget, save and invest early.”
He also highlighted common mistakes players should avoid.
“Players must avoid failure to plan and poor debt management. Debt should not be used for consumption or liabilities, but for investment.”
Chief Executive Officer Albert Chigoga said the initiative reflects the club’s commitment to developing players beyond football.
“We want to create balance both on and off the pitch. It’s not just about the technical and tactical aspects—players have responsibilities, families and futures to plan for.”
“That’s why we introduced financial investment sessions—to help them start preparing now for life after football.”
Chigoga also stressed the importance of understanding and respecting the evolving nature of the game.
“The game continues to evolve, and we want our players to understand and respect match officials. As a club, we must be exemplary.”
He added that mental health support is increasingly important in modern football.
“We brought in a psychosocial expert because we are living in times where mental health challenges are increasingly affecting players.”
Encouragingly, the CEO revealed that players have already begun taking practical steps following the workshop.
“We are encouraged by the response. Some players have already started opening financial investment accounts. It shows they are not just listening, but taking action.”
“We want to build players beyond the pitch—responsible individuals who will contribute positively to society, not just during their careers, but after football as well.”
Willard reinforced the importance of applying the lessons learned.
“We need to apply what we’ve learnt both on and off the pitch in our everyday lives. It’s rare to have experts like these—it was a very crucial session for us.”
“We’ve learnt a lot, especially on the mental side as players, and it’s something we need to carry forward.”
Building beyond the pitch
Chigoga concluded by linking the initiative to the club’s long-term vision.
“We have a strong vision as a club that looks at all our teams—from the first team to the youth. This is just the beginning, and we will extend these programmes across the club.”
As preparations for the new season continue, such initiatives underline Bullets’ commitment to building a disciplined, informed and forward-thinking squad—on and off the pitch, in line with the standards of The People’s Team.
