Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena and Jwaneng Galaxy FC coach Morena Ramoreboli have been nominated for the inaugural 2023 COSAFA Men’s Coach of the Year award.

The winner will be announced at a gala awards ceremony in Durban 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 are as follows (in alphabetical order):

Collin Benjamin (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 includes a stunning 2-1 win over Cameroon that set up their qualification.

Rulani Mokwena (Mamelodi Sundowns) – Helped South African club Mamelodi Sundowns to a record-extending sixth domestic league title in a row and the African Football League title. He went unbeaten through 2023 in 31 domestic league games, and overall took charge of the side in 65 matches (W43 D19 L3). Is revered for his tactical brain.

Morena Ramoreboli (Jwaneng Galaxy) 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 (D5 L3) 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 are as follows:

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).