In order to honor the most exceptional football players in the subcontinent, the Confederation of Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA) successfully held its inaugural awards ceremony.
At the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, COSAFA recognized the top performers from the previous 18 months in both the men’s and women’s categories, ranging from Player of the Year to the Most Promising Referee.
Some supporters, on the other hand, felt that COSAFA had influenced them in selecting the prize winners, and they were angered by South Africa’s dominance at the ceremony.
The reason behind this could be that almost half of the awards presented on Thursday went to South Africans, leaving Zambia, Malawi, Madagascar, and Angola to fight for the remaining prizes.
Percy Tau picked up the Men’s Player of the Year award, while Rulani Mokwena and Desiree Ellis bagged the Men’s and Women’s Coach of the Year.
Victor Gomes and Thapelo Maseko received the Referee Legend and Men’s Most Promising Player awards, respectively, taking the total of South African winners on the night to seven.
Women’s Player and Referee of the Year went to the Zambian team of Racheal Kundananji and Diana Chikotesha, respectively.
While the event proved to be a joyous one for the host country, it has received a lot of negative comments from some fans, who believe COSAFA should have given recognition to talents from all over the region.
Views react to the inaugural COSAFA Awards.
One fan, Charity Shamwanga, wrote, “It’s all about South Africa, so why put other countries on the nominees when you knew that you will only be awarding South Africans” [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100022159729439]
“Are these Southern African Awards or South African Awards??” Bernard Nkweto Jr. asked. [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551648802076]
Vin Catha alleged, “I think some of our national teams are being used. Cosafa is for South Africans only.” [https://www.facebook.com/vin.chatha]
READ ALSO: Kundananji crowned Southern African female best player of the year.
However, most fans shared congratulatory messages to the winners on the night, with Mahmoud El Sharaby writing, “Well deserved
“. [https://www.facebook.com/mahmoudlast664]
