FCB Nyasa Big Bullets captain Frank Willard celebrated his first silverware as First Team captain after guiding his side to victory in the Castel Challenge Cup final.
Bullets secured a 2-0 victory over Goshen City Dedza Dynamos at Bingu National Stadium on Saturday, with Hassan Kajoke scoring both goals.
The win capped a strong tournament for The People’s Team, who scored 12 goals while conceding just two.
The skipper said the triumph was a reward for the team’s resilience and marked another memorable moment for the club. It also capped a season in which Bullets won two trophies, including the Castel Challenge Cup, bringing the club’s 38th major trophy in history.
Willard, who started on the bench, was introduced in the 72nd minute for Maxwell Phodo, a tactical move to add leadership and composure in the final stages of the match.
Speaking to club media, the defending midfielder described the moment as special—not just for him, but for the whole Bullets family.
“I am really happy for this moment. It is the wish of every player, especially when you are guiding others as captain. I thank God for making it happen,” said the 25-year-old.
He acknowledged that the final was a tough contest, crediting the opposition for their competitiveness while praising his teammates for staying focused under pressure.
“It was not an easy game. It has been a long season with many ups and downs, but we sat down as players, reflected on ourselves, and corrected our mistakes. That unity and belief have brought us this far,” the captain added.
Willard also emphasized respect for the technical panel’s decisions, noting that his introduction from the bench was part of the broader game plan.
“The coach makes the game plan and we respect his decisions because he always has a purpose. Whether starting or coming from the bench, what matters is contributing to the team. When I came in, my focus was to help the team manage the game and secure the result,” he explained.
The captain further called on the club’s supporters to continue standing behind the team, highlighting the importance of unity between players and fans.
“Our supporters should continue giving us support in large numbers despite any results. In football, you win, lose or draw, but their support motivates us to fight for the badge,” Willard said.
This Castel Challenge Cup triumph adds to Willard’s ninth major trophy with The People’s Team. He joined Bullets in 2020 via the reserves, had a short stint with Mafco in 2022, and returned later that year.
His leadership once again played a key role in guiding Bullets to success, reinforcing the club’s status as one of Malawi’s most formidable sides and giving supporters another reason to celebrate The People’s Team’s brilliance.
