The inaugural Cosafa Awards will be staged at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on Thursday evening, a celebration of the very best of Southern African football as we honour those players, coaches and referees who excelled in 2023.
The ceremony, which gets under way at 18h30 CAT (16h30 GMT) will be streamed on Cosafa’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.
There will be 11 awards handed over for the best performers last year, as well as five Lifetime Achievement gongs in recognition of those who have served the game with distinction over a period of time in Southern Africa.
There will be dignitaries from across the region as well as Legends from yesteryear who left their mark on the game with memories that still linger today.
“These awards have been a long time coming and we are delighted to host the inaugural event this year,” says Cosafa Executive Director Sue Destombes. “We have seen tremendous growth in our region in both men’s and women’s football, and the achievements of teams, players and coaches should be celebrated.
“These awards highlight the work that Cosafa continues to do on and off the pitch to develop football in our region and while we celebrate these successes, it also gives us the desire to do more in the future and continue this upward trajectory for our game.”
There are eight player/coach categories and three for referees, with one Referee Legend award. The Lifetime Achievement categories are for player, coaching, refereeing, women’s football, and media.
The gala dinner will also see world-class entertainment and the chance for guests to mingle with Legends.
The award categories and nominees (in alphabetical order), are as follows:
MOST PROMISING REFEREE
Thato Makgoga (South Africa)
Wyson Musitafa (Zambia)
Tsiaro Randriambololoma (Madagascar)
BEST FEMALE REFEREE
Diana Chikotesha (Zambia) Akhona Makalima (South Africa) Antsino Twanyanyukwa (Namibia)
BEST MALE REFEREE
Jerson Dos Santos (Angola) Arsénio Marengula (Mozambique) Abongile Tom (SA)
WOMEN’S MOST PROMISING PLAYER
Esther Banda (Zambia) Leticia Chinyamula (Malawi) Rose Kadzere (Malawi)
MEN’S MOST PROMISING PLAYER
Miguel Chaiwa (Zambia) Thapelo Maseko (South Africa) Gift Mphande (Zambia)
WOMEN’S GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR
Andile Dlamini (South Africa) Mercy Sikelo (Malawi) Kaylin Swart (South Africa)
MEN’S GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR
Lloyd Kazapua (Namibia) Lawrence Mulenga (Zambia) Ronwen Williams (South Africa)
WOMEN’S COACH OF THE YEAR
Dr Desiree Ellis (South Africa) Bruce Mwape (Zambia)
Jerry Tshabalala (South Africa)
MEN’S COACH OF THE YEAR
Collin Benjamin (Namibia)
Rulani Mokwena (South Africa) Morena Ramoreboli (South Africa)
WOMEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Barbra Banda (Zambia) Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi) Racheal Kundananji (Zambia)
MEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Lameck Banda (Zambia) Peter Shalulile (Namibia) Percy Tau (South Africa)
The judging panel from across the 14 member nations that make up COSAFA are renowned for their knowledge of Southern African football and are as follows:
Houssamidine Ben Ahmed (Comoros), Ivan Capuepue (Angola), Rob Delport (South Africa), Gerard Govinden (Seychelles), Peter Kanjere (Malawi), Jesse Kauraisa (Namibia), Kagiso Kgaogano (Botswana), Sibusiso Masilela (Eswatini), Sandra Mwila (Zambia), Boitelo Radebe (Lesotho), Heriniaina Samson (Madagascar), Benoit Thomas (Mauritius), Steve Vickers (Zimbabwe) and Raimundo Zandamela (Mozambique). – cosafa.com
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