• Desiree Ellis was crowned Women’s Coach of the Year at the 2023 CAF Awards in Morocco.
• This marks Ellis’s fourth time receiving the award, with previous wins in 2018, 2019 and 2022.
• There was also an award for Percy Tau and Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies team.
• For more sport news, go to the News24 Sport front page.

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Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis was honoured as the Women’s Coach of the Year for the fourth time at the 2023 CAF Awards in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday.

The 60-year-old won her first gong in 2018 and secured the accolade once more in 2019. The award was not presented in 2020 and 2021 due to the impact of the coronavirus.

However, in 2022, Ellis once again claimed the honours for leading Banyana Banyana to their first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title, triumphing over the host nation Morocco in the final.

This year has seen Banyana make further strides under her tutelage as they advance beyond the group stages of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and taste the action of the Round of 16, losing bravely to the Netherlands in the knockout match.

In her acceptance speech, she ensured that she paid tribute to fellow Women’s Coach of the Year nominee Jerry Tshabalala, who guided the Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies team to the CAF Women’s Champions League title.

“I’d like to acknowledge coach Jerry. He does fantastic work in South Africa and that is why I am standing here,” Ellis said.

“I’d also like to acknowledge all the other coaches that works in women’s football. This is for all of you.

“For all the administrators that work in women’s football but most importantly for the Banyana players because they make us look good.”

She added, “Women’s football on the continent is rising,” before smiling and walking off.    

Elsewhere, Bafana Bafana star forward Percy Tau was crowned the Men’s Interclub Player of the Year, while Sundowns Ladies walked away with the Women’s Club of the Year gong.

Tau joined Al Ahly in 2021 but struggled to make an immediate impact, facing challenges exacerbated by injuries. But the 2022/23 season marked his return to peak form, and he played a crucial role in guiding the Egyptian giants to last season’s CAF Champions League.

Nigeria secured the Women’s National Team of the Year award, surpassing Banyana Banyana, while Asisat Oshoala clinched the Women’s Player of the Year, prevailing over Thembi Kgatlana.

Unfortunately, last year’s Goalkeeper of the Year recipient, Andile Dlamini, did not claim an award, as Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie secured the golden glove.

On the men’s side, Victor Osimhen of Nigeria and Napoli was honoured as the Men’s Player of the Year.

2023 CAF Awards: Nominees and winners

Player of the Year (Men)

Victor Osimhen (Nigeria, Napoli) – WINNER

Mohamed Salah (Egypt, Liverpool)

Achraf Hakimi (Morocco, Paris Saint-Germain)

Player of the Year (Women)

Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria, Barcelona) – WINNER

Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa, Racing Louisville)

Barbara Banda (Zambia, Shanghai Shengli)

Interclub Player of the Year (Men)

Percy Tau (South Africa, Al Ahly) – WINNER

Fiston Mayele (DR Congo, Pyramids)

Peter Shalulile (Namibia, Mamelodi Sundowns)

Interclub Player of the Year (Women)

Fatima Tagnaout (Morocco, AS FAR) – WINNER

Refilwe Tholakele (Botswana, Mamelodi Sundowns)

Lebohang Ramalepe (South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns)

Coach of the Year (Men)

Walid Regragui (Morocco) – WINNER

Abdelhak Benchika (Algeria, Simba SC)

Aliou Cisse (Senegal)

Coach of the Year (Women)

Desiree Ellis (South Africa) – WINNER

Reynald Pedros (Morocco)

Jerry Tshabalala (South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns)

Goalkeeper of the Year (Men)

Yassine Bounou (Morocco, Al Hilal) – WINNER

Andre Onana (Cameroon, Manchester United)

Mohamed El Shenawy (Egypt, Al Ahly)

Goalkeeper of the Year (Women)

Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria, Paris FC) – WINNER

Khadija Er-Rmichi (Morocco, AS FAR)

Andile Dlamini (South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns)

Young Player of the Year (Men)

Lamine Camara (Senegal, Metz) – WINNER

Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Morocco, Real Betis)

Amara Diouf (Senegal, Metz)

Young Player of the Year (Women)

Nesryne El Chad (Morocco, Lille) – WINNER

Comfort Yeboah (Ghana, Ampem Darkoa)

Deborah Abiodun (Nigeria, Pittsburgh Panthers)

National Team of the Year (Men)

Morocco – WINNER

Gambia

Senegal

National Team of the Year (Women)

Nigeria – WINNER

Morocco

South Africa

Club of the Year (Men)

Al Ahly (Egypt) – WINNER

Wydad Athletic Club (Morocco)

Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)

Club of the Year (Women)

Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) – WINNER

AS FAR (Morocco)

Sporting Casablanca (Morocco)