Copper Queens forward Rachel Kundananji and FIFA referee Diana Chikotesha emerged as winners at the inaugural COSAFA awards.
Kundananji was named as the best women’s player of the year while Chikotesha scooped the best female referee accolade.
South African striker Percy Tau took home the best male player prize at an awards ceremony staged in a glittering gala held at the Sandton Convention Centre on Thursday.
Kundananji was named the COSAFA Women’s Player of the Year following her eye-catching performances for former club Madrid FC and Zambia, that included scoring at the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
There were eight player/coach awards, four referee prizes and five Lifetime Achievement recipients as COSAFA honoured those past and present who have made an impact on the game in the region.
The player/coach and referee awards covered the period January-December, 2023.
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 former players in attendance on the night.
COSAFA AWARD WINNERS
MEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Percy Tau (South Africa)
WOMEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Racheal Kundananji (Zambia)
MEN’S COACH OF THE YEAR
Rulani Mokwena (Mamelodi Sundowns)
WOMEN’S COACH OF THE YEAR
Dr Desiree Ellis (South Africa)
MEN’S GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR
Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns & South Africa)
WOMEN’S GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR
Andile Dlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies & South Africa)
MEN’S MOST PROMISING PLAYER
Thapelo Maseko (Mamelodi Sundowns & South Africa)
WOMEN’S MOST PROMISING PLAYER
Leticia Chinyamula (Ascent Academy & Malawi)
COSAFA BEST MALE REFEREE
Jerson Dos Santos (Angola)
COSAFA BEST FEMALE REFEREE
Diana Chikotesha (Zambia)
COSAFA MOST PROMISING REFEREE
Tsiaro Randriambololoma (Madagascar)
COSAFA REFEREE LEGEND
Victor Gomes (South Africa)
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT FOR SERVICES AS A PLAYER
Janine van Wyk
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN SERVICES TO REFEREEING
Felix Tangawarima
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN SERVICES TO WOMEN’S FOOTBALL
Fran Hilton-Smith
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN SERVICES TO COACHING
Sunday Chidzambwa
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN SERVICES TO THE MEDIA
Mark Gleeson
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