Mamelodi Sundowns dominated the inaugural 2023 Cosafa Awards held at the Sandton Convention Centre on Thursday where the best coaches and players in the South African football fraternity were celebrated.
Masandawana mentor Rulani Mokwena walked away with the Men’s Coach of the Year award. Winger Thapelo Maseko was named the Men’s Young Player of the Year, while Rowen Williams scooped the accolade of Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year.
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies’ Amanda Dlamini was also among the names of the winners as she took home the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year.
The 37-year-old coach Mokwena told members of the media he feels humble about the award and has thanked the club for giving him the support he needs and the players.
“It means a lot, I’m humbled and extremely privileged,” happy Mokwena said.
“But there is also a clear recognition that without the support of the football club, the belief they had in me it will not be possible.
“It’s also clear to me that without the football players that I happened to lead and coach, it wouldn’t be possible, without the support of my family, my mother it wouldn’t be possible.
“And also without God’s grace favour and talent it wouldn’t be possible. So, I’m extremely humbled and I’m also grateful because I hope there is one soul that is looking down upon me.
“Maybe quite a few but maybe one in particular is my late grandfather Scara Sono, I hope he is very proud of me wherever he is,” he concluded.
The were 11 overall awards that were given out for the previous year’s achievements as well as five Lifetime Achievement honors.
Here is the list of all the winners:
MEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Percy Tau (South Africa)
WOMEN’S COACH OF THE YEAR
Dr Desiree Ellis (South Africa)
MEN’S COACH OF THE YEAR
Rulani Mokwena (South Africa)
MEN’S GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR
Ronwen Williams (South Africa)
MEN’S MOST PROMISING PLAYER
Thapelo Maseko (South Africa)
WOMEN’S GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR
Andile Dlamini (South Africa)
MEN’S MOST PROMISING PLAYER
Thapelo Maseko (South Africa)
WOMEN’S MOST PROMISING PLAYER
Leticia Chinyamula (Malawi)
WOMEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Racheal Kundananji (Zambia)
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)
