The Council of Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA) announced that it will host its inaugural annual awards that will honour players, coaches, and various other stakeholders in the game from the COSAFA region.
Brave Warriors goalie, Lloydt Kazapua was the first Namibian to be nominated. Kazapua, Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns & South Africa) and Malawi’s Lawrence Mulenga who plays for Power Dynamos are the three nominees for the category of the Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year at the inaugural 2023 COSAFA Awards
“There is a pool of talented goalkeepers and it’s an honour to be ranked amongst the best goalkeepers in the COSAFA region. The nomination really comes at a great time especially for the Namibian child back home, first they saw Peter Shalulile and Zenatha Coleman being nominated for CAF awards last year, the Brave Warriors under the guidance of Collin Benjamin, the youngest coach at the 2023 AFCON gave the nation hope and a reason to believe.
This allows them to dream and believe that their goals are within reach with determination and hard work” Kazapua echoed.
Kazapua applauded the initiative by COSAFA stating that the platform created will help players boost their performance.
“It is important for athletes to get the recognition they work hard for and deserve, most African players who ply their trade in Africa especially in the region hardly make it to the CAF Awards apart from a few brilliant players like Shalulile. The awards will enable regional players to be recognised on a larger platform that is beyond club and national level” he said.
In a press release issued by COSAFA Media the judging criteria was based on their club and national team form.
Lloyd Kazapua (Chippa United and Namibia) – Kazapua played a big role in helping Namibia to their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification, especially in the two fixtures against Cameroon in March 2023 when he was rock solid. He only conceded three goals in the five national team matches he played through the year. Was the first choice at Chippa United the season before but then gave up the number one jersey to Nigerian Stanley Nwabali.
The award winners will be unveiled at a gala dinner on April 19, 2024, as the event pays homage to the best performers, on and off the pitch, for 2023.
