Several stars from Banyana Banyana and Mamelodi Sundowns have been recognized for their outstanding achievements over the last year and have been nominated for the upcoming CAF Women’s awards. After announcing the nominees for the male’s categories last week, the Confederation of African Football has named the shortlists for the women’s awards on Tuesday.
Banyana have been nominated among the Women’s National Team of the Year after their heroics at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, bringing the trophy back to South Africa for the very first time and making history at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup by reaching the knockout stages for the first time ever.
Meanwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies – similar to the men’s team – have been nominated in the Women’s Club of the Year category after winning the Hollywoodbets Super League, the COSAFA qualifiers, and qualifying for the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League.
Both Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis and Sundowns Ladies head coach Jerry Tshabalala have been nominated in the Women’s Coach of the Year category for their exploits this past year. In addition, Banyana goalkeepers Kaylin Swart, who plays for JVW FC at club level, and Downs Ladies’ Andile Dlamini have been nominated in the Goalkeeper of the Year category. Young Banyana starlet Thubelihle Shamase, who plays for UJ at club level, is on the shortlist for the Young Women’s Player of the Year, and Sundowns Ladies and Banyana star Lebohang Ramalepe has been nominated in the CAF Interclub Women’s Player of the Year category.
Finally, six Banyana stars were nominated for the main award, the CAF Women’s Player of the Year – Jermaine Seoposenwe, Hilda Magaia, Andile Dlamini, Thembi Kgatlana, Linda Motlhalo and Refiloe Jane. The 2023 CAF awards will take place on 11 December in Marrakesh, Morocco.
