Tau, Ellis and Sundowns win big at Cosafa Awards

Percy Tau was named men’s Footballer of the Year at the inaugural Cosafa Awards on Thursday, while three Sundowns players also won awards, as did Masandawana head coach Rulani Mokwena.

Tau was rewarded for a stellar year with Al Ahly in 2023, in which he won the Caf Champions League and the Egyptian league and cup double, while also helping the Red Devils to third place at the Fifa Club World Cup.

The Lion of Judah was not at the awards ceremony at the Sandton Convention Centre, because he is still involved with Ahly in their current Egyptian Premier League campaign.

Nominated alongside Tau was Sundowns striker Peter Shalulile, who not only starred for his club in 2023, but also helped Namibia qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations finals.

Mokwena won men’s Coach of the Year after guiding Sundowns to the inaugural Caf African Football League, while Thapelo Maseko won men’s Young Player of the Year after winning Player of the Tournament at the same competition.

Dlamini shines

Sundowns goalkeeper and Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams won men’s Goalkeepeer of the Year, while Sundowns ladies and Banyana goalkeeper Andile Dlamini won women’s Goalkeeper of the Year, after she helped Sundowns ladies win the Cosafa Women’s Champions League and the Caf Women’s Champions League.

Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis won women’s Coach of the Year, after she got Banyana Banyana to the last 16 of the Fifa Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand