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Tumisho Shogole

SA stars dominate COSAFA top awards

Al Ahly FC striker Percy Tau is COSAFA Men’s Player of the Year.


Al Ahly FC striker Percy Tau has proved his critics wrong after being subjected to criticism following his poor performance during African Cup of Nation tournament.

Tau and Zambia forward, Racheal Kundananji were awarded with the best player prizes at the inaugural 2023 COSAFA Awards.

The event was hosted at the Sandton Convention Centre on Thursday.


Tau was awarded with the COSAFA Men’s Player of the Year award after a stellar 2023 performance with Egyptian giants AL Ahly and the South African national team.


After her eye-catching performances for former club Madrid FC and Zambia, that includes scoring at the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, Racheal won the COSAFA Women’s Player of the Year award.


The COSAFA awards consisted of eight player/coach awards, four referee prizes and five Lifetime achievement awards which were awarded to those past and present who have made an impact on the game in the region.


The awards were handed over by some of the region’s greatest legends such as Kalusha Bwalya, Lucas Radebe and Dipsy Selolwane, with many more top players in attendance. Tau led Al Ahly to CAF Champions league as well as Egyptian Premier league success and Tau scored for the club at the FIFA Club World Cup in an eye catching 2023. “It is an honour to receive this award, it means so much to be recognized by our region. It has always been my goal to represent my country and the Southern Africa at the highest level and to give hope to those that come from a similar background to me,” Tau said.


When Kundananji moved from Madrid FC in Spain to Bay FC in the United States, she became the most expensive player in women’s football history at the price of $800,000. “It is such as honour and I really appreciate this award and this opportunity. It is not easy, among thousands of players to be chosen for this award. I had a lot of highlights in 2023, but I think my favourite was at club level against Barcelona when I scored two goals,” Kundananji said.


After an outstanding 2023 in which, South African club Mamelodi Sundowns won a record of sixth league title in a row and the inaugural African Football league, the club had several winners on the night, including Rulani Mokwena, who was named COSAFA Men’s Coach of the Year. “This award is for all of my players, an incredible group that keeps on achieving. I wouldn’t be here without them. I must thank my club Mamelodi Sundowns for the support they have given to me,” Mokwena said.


The award for COSAFA Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year was given to Sundowns and South African gloveman, Ronwen Williams. Sundowns’ women goalkeeper, Andile Dlamini claimed the COSAFA Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award as she assisted the team to a treble of domestic, regional and continental glory in the CAF Women’s Champions league. Sundowns’ young star, Thapelo Maseko won the COSAFA Men’s Most Promising Player of the Year for footballers aged 20 or under in 2023.


Having won the last four CAF Women’s Coach of the Year awards, Desiree Ellis takes home a COSAFA Women’s Coach of the Year award for leading South Africa to the round of 16 at the Women’s World Cup for the first time. Malawi player, Leticia Chinyamula claimed the award for the COSAFA Women’s Most Promising Player of the Year after helping the She-Flames to a maiden COSAFA Women’s Championship at the age of 17.

Four prizes were handed out for referees. The COSAFA Most Promising Referee prize was awarded to Young Tsiaro Randriambololoma from Madagascar and the COSAFA Best Female Referee prize was claimed by Diana Chikotesha of Zambia.

Jerson Dos Santos from Angola was awarded with the COSAFA Best Male Referee and recently retired referee, Victor Gomez was awarded with the Referee Legend award. Janine Van Wyk received an award for her services as a player while being the most capped international on the African continent.

Felix Tangawarima who had done much to develop match officials in the African continent in the last few decades, was awarded with a Lifetime achievement award for services to refereeing. Fran Hilton-Smith received an award for Lifetime achievement in services to women’s football. Sunday Chidzambwa claimed a Lifetime achievement award in services to coaching and last but not least was legendary journalist and commentator, Mark Gleeson who received a Lifetime achievement award in services to the media.

Al Ahly FC striker Percy Tau.

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