The Council of Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA) has announced the introduction of its inaugural awards.
The awards gala dinner will take place on April 19, 2024, at a yet-to-be-revealed venue, to pay “homage to the best performers, on and off the pitch, for 2023.”
The council’s president, Artur de Almeida e Silva, said in a statement on Thursday morning, “COSAFA has long envisaged having our own awards ceremony to pay tribute to those who continue to shine a positive light on the game in our region.”
He added: “Southern Africa has long been a leader on the continent for excellence and this is a way to highlight the achievements of not just players and coaches, but also those who lay the foundations for success with the hard work and dedication they put into the game.
“It is important that we celebrate our achievements and inspire the next generation of players, coaches, referees and administrators so that we can continue to grow the game in the region.”
Both local and foreign-based players to be considered
The council also announced that the awards are open to all players and coaches from COSAFA’s 14 member associations: Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, the Seychelles, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, regardless of where they ply their trade from.
There will also be various lifetime achievement awards given to those who have helped shape football in the region over the years.
The following categories will have an award:
- COSAFA Men’s Player of the Year
- COSAFA Women’s Player of the Year
- COSAFA Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year
- COSAFA Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year
- COSAFA Men’s Most Promising Player of the Year (aged 20 or under)
- COSAFA Women’s Most Promising Player of the Year (aged 20 or under)
- COSAFA Male Coach of the Year
- COSAFA Female Coach of the Year
- COSAFA Male Referee of the Year
- COSAFA Female Referee of the Year
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