For a second successive edition, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets have dominated nominations for the FDH Bank Cup awards.
The Football Association of Malawi announced the nominees on Thursday.
Bullets, after claiming all four categories last season, have again received nominations in all categories this edition, including Player of the Tournament, Goalkeeper of the Tournament, Discovery of the Tournament and the Golden Boot.
Patrick Mwaungulu has been nominated for the Player of the Tournament award alongside Mafco’s Paul Ndhlovu and Dedza Dynamos forward Clement Nyondo.
Our reserves product played in all five matches, scoring two goals, providing six assists and scooping three Man of the Match accolades.
Striker Ephraim Kondowe has been nominated for the Discovery of the Tournament award and will face competition from Santhe Admarc goalkeeper Zahaya Malithano and Extreme FC goalkeeper McLean Mwale.
Kondowe, who is enjoying his first season at The People’s Team, featured in four games and scored two goals, including his last-minute strike against Extreme FC, taking the game into penalties for Bullets to claim a 4-2 shootout win over the Mchinji-based side.
The nominations have also given Rabson Chiyenda an opportunity for the Goalkeeper of the Tournament alongside Mighty Mukuru Wanderers’ William Thole and Santhe’s Malithano.
Chiyenda, who had been struggling for a place in Kalisto Pasuwa’s side, had his first game in the competition against Dedza Dynamos before playing in the final against Mafco in which he kept a clean sheet.
The Golden Boot award has gone to Hassan Kajoke, who scored four goals in the tournament.
According to FAM, the Competitions Technical Study Group produced the nominations after analysing the competition’s statistics through a selected group of coaches under the National Coaches Association, responsible for selecting Player of the Match and some football journalists who will vote to decide winners.
Winners will be announced at a special ceremony to be hosted by sponsors FDH Bank and FAM.
Bullets successfully defended the cup after defeating Mafco FC 3-0 courtesy of a first-half brace from Lanjesi Nkhoma and a lone second-half goal from Kondowe at the Bingu National Stadium on 8 October.