At the Confederation of African Football Awards ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco, Percy Tau made history by becoming the first South African to receive the Caf Interclub Player of the Year Award on Monday. Tau, the talented Bafana Bafana attacker, played a crucial role in guiding Cairo giants Al Ahly to victory in the previous season’s Caf Champions League.
Dubbed ‘The Lion of Judah,’ Tau showcased his brilliance with five goals and five assists, including a pivotal point in the semifinal first leg against Esperance of Tunisia and a goal in the final first leg against Wydad Casablanca.
South Africa had further cause for celebration as Desiree Ellis, the head coach of Banyana Banyana, secured the Women’s Coach of the Year award. This recognition comes after South Africa’s women’s team reached the last 16 at the Fifa Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where they notably stunned Italy in the group stages, marking the first time a South African side, male or female, advanced to the knockout round at a Fifa World Cup.
Desiree Ellis has now clinched the Caf Women’s Coach of the Year Award for the second consecutive year and the fourth time overall, adding to her previous wins in 2018 and 2019.
While Banyana Banyana couldn’t retain the Women’s National Team of the Year Award, conceding it to Nigeria’s Super Falcons, Mamelodi Sundowns’ women’s team, featuring numerous Banyana stars, claimed the 2023 Club of the Year award. This recognition comes in the wake of their triumph in the current season’s Caf Women’s Champions League.
Some of the winners were Moroccan national football team’s head coach Walid Regragui who won the Coach of the year award.
Asisat Oshoala and Victor Osimhen won the African Player of the Year for the male and female category.
Main image: South African
