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Fungai Muderere
THE nominees for the category of the Men’s Coach of the Year at the inaugural 2023 COSAFA Awards have been unveiled.
The winner will be announced at a gala awards ceremony in Durban, South Africa on April 19, with a panel of judges from across the region having assessed their achievements for the period of January 1 to December 31, 2023.
The three nominees include Collin Benjamin of Namibia. Benjamin led Namibia to qualification for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, somewhat against the odds. He took charge of the side in nine games in 2023, winning two, drawing four and losing three. That included a stunning 2-1 win over Cameroon that set up their qualification.
The second nominee is Rulani Mokwena of Mamelodi Sundowns. He helped South African club Mamelodi Sundowns to a record-extending sixth domestic league titles in a row. He went unbeaten through 2023 in 31 domestic league games, and overall took charge of the side in 65 matches winning 43, drawing 19 and losing three. He is revered for his tactical brain.
The other nominee is Morena Ramoreboli of Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy. He took Galaxy to the 2023 Botswana Premier League title and also the group stages of the CAF Champions League with a stunning upset of Orlando Pirates. Galaxy won 21 of their 29 league games, drawing five and losing three in 2023, but it is perhaps a year best remembered for that Champions League triumph when they also secured a shock 1-0 away win at Moroccan powerhouse Wydad Casablanca.
The judging panel from across the 14 member nations that make up COSAFA are renowned for their knowledge of Southern African football and these are Houssamidine Ben Ahmed (Comoros), Ivan Capuepue (Angola), Rob Delport (South Africa), , Gerard Govinden (Seychelles), Peter Kanjere (Malawi), Jesse Kauraisa (Namibia), Kagiso , Kgaogano (Botswana), Sibusiso Masilela (Eswatini), Sandra Mwila (Zambia), Boitelo Radebe (Lesotho), Heriniaina Samson (Madagascar), Benoit Thomas (Mauritius), Steve Vickers (Zimbabwe) and Raimundo Zandamela (Mozambique). -@FungaiMuderere
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