South Africa and Zambia, the biggest winners at the COSAFA Awards

South Africa and Zambia players claimed the most prestigious awards at the inaugural COSAFA Awards, Soccernet.football reports.

The COSAFA award ceremony, held at the Sandton Convention Centre on Thursday evening, honoured the outstanding players and coaches of Southern African football in 2023.

In total, 11 awards were presented to recognize achievements over the past year, alongside five prestigious Lifetime Achievement accolades.

South Africa’s Thapelo Maseko secured the title of Men’s Young Player of the Year, while Ronwen Williams earned the distinction of Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year. Additionally, Andile Dlamini was celebrated as Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year.

Sundowns boss Rulani Mokwena claimed the Men’s Coach of the Year award, while Desiree Ellis won the Women’s Coach of the Year to continue South Africa’s dominance.

South Africa’s success reached its pinnacle when Percy Tau was crowned Men’s Player of the Year, marking their seventh award of the evening.

Zambia, however, broke South Africa’s back in the Women’s Player of the Year category, where Racheal Kundananji bagged the honour ahead of Banyana’s Thembi Kgatlana.

Diana Chikotesha also took the Best Female Referee award home to Zambia.

In a testament to their lasting impact on Southern African football, Fran Hilton-Smith, Janine Van Wyk, and Mark Gleeson were honoured with prestigious Lifetime Achievement awards by COSAFA.

All the winners:

MOST PROMISING REFEREE
Tsiaro Randriambololoma (Madagascar)

BEST FEMALE REFEREE
Diana Chikotesha (Zambia)

BEST MALE REFEREE
Jerson Dos Santos (Angola)

REFEREE LEGEND
Victor Gomes (South Africa)

WOMEN’S MOST PROMISING PLAYER
Leticia Chinyamula (Malawi)

MEN’S MOST PROMISING PLAYER
Thapelo Maseko (South Africa)

WOMEN’S GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR
Andile Dlamini (South Africa)

MEN’S GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR
Ronwen Williams (South Africa)

WOMEN’S COACH OF THE YEAR
Dr Desiree Ellis (South Africa)

MEN’S COACH OF THE YEAR
Rulani Mokwena (South Africa)

WOMEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Racheal Kundananji (Zambia)

MEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Percy Tau (South Africa)