FCB Nyasa Big Bullets defender Blessings Mpokera has been crowned the 2025 Airtel Top 8 Player of the Tournament.
He was announced as the winner at an awards ceremony held on Wednesday evening at Mount Soche Hotel in Blantyre.
The centre-back earned the accolade after emerging as the standout performer of the competition, playing a key role as The People’s Team successfully defended the title.
Bullets retained the prestigious cup after defeating Silver Strikers in the final played in July 2025, underlining the club’s continued dominance in one of Malawi’s premier knockout competitions.
Mpokera featured in all four matches, starting each of them and completing the full 360 minutes of the tournament, highlighting his importance at the heart of Bullets’ defence.
He delivered consistent and assured performances throughout the campaign, helping the team keep two clean sheets as The People’s Team marched to another Airtel Top 8 triumph.
His composure, leadership and defensive solidity proved crucial in key moments, including the knockout stages, as Bullets navigated their way to the final and ultimately lifted the trophy.
The award caps a standout campaign for the defender, who stood out among the competition’s top performers to claim the top individual honour.
Teammate Maxwell Phodo was also among the finalists for the award. The forward made a telling impact during the campaign, scoring twice in four appearances, including an important goal in the final.
Phodo also produced one of the defining moments of the tournament in the quarter-finals when he scored the only goal in a 1-0 second-leg victory over Creck Sporting Club to send Bullets into the semi-finals.
Silver Strikers midfielder Festus Duwe, who finished as the competition’s top scorer with three goals, was the other finalist for the award.
Mpokera’s triumph further underlines Bullets’ dominance in the competition, with The People’s Team not only retaining the trophy but also producing the tournament’s standout performer.
The winner was selected following an evaluation by FAM’s Competitions Technical Study Group, based on performances and match statistics throughout the tournament.
