Malawi Celebrates Leticia Chinyamula’s Win at COSAFA Awards

The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) is beaming with pride as Leticia Chinyamula won the Most Promising Player award at the 2023 COSAFA Awards held at the Sandton Convention Center last evening.

FAM President, Fleetwood Haiya, hailed Chinyamula’s win as a victory for the nation, not just an individual achievement.

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“This award is not just for Leticia, but for the entire nation. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of our women’s national football team, the Scorchers,” Haiya said.

Chinyamula, who was nominated alongside Rose Kabzere, and Zambia’s Esther Banda expressed her pride and gratitude for the award, encouraging her teammates to continue putting in the effort.

“I didn’t expect to win, but I’m proud to have represented Malawi on this platform. This award is for all of us, and I urge my fellow players to keep working hard,” Chinyamula said.

Minister of Youth and Sports, Uchizi Mkandawire, echoed Haiya’s sentiments, calling the win “very exciting and encouraging” for the nation.

“This shows that next time, we’ll have even more winners from Malawi. The government will continue sponsoring all sports to ensure Malawi’s sports sector continues to move forward,” Mkandawire said.

The 2023 COSAFA Awards saw four Malawian players nominated in various categories, including Women’s Promising Player, Goalkeeper of the Year, and Player of the Year. Young referee Wyson Mustafa was also nominated for Most Promising Referee.

The win has motivated FAM to continue supporting and developing women’s football in Malawi, with Haiya emphasizing the importance of teamwork and national pride.

“We’re proud of our girls, and we’ll keep working together to achieve even more success,” Haiya said.

South Africa dominate Cosafa Awards

Captain, Tabitha Chawinga lost the Player of the Year award to Zambia’s Rachel Kundananji despite her excellent performance in her first season in France, winning the Player of the Season and helping her team, Paris Saint-Germain Women’s to the semi-final of the UEFA champions league.

Goalkeeper, Sikelo lost the award to Andile Dlamini of South Africa while Sundowns Head Coach, Rulani Mokwena was named the Coach of the Year. The African Football League winners attributed his achievement to the support from the team.

“This success is not only from me, it means I received enough support from the team, players, I’m happy for this and I think my father is also happy,” he said.

Al Ahly star, Percy Tau was voted as the Player of the season beating the African Football League winners, Peter Shalulire of Sundowns and Namibia and Zambia’s Lameck Banda.

Women’s Coach of the Year went to South Africa’s Dr Desiree Ellis while Mamelodi Sundowns’ goal-keeper, Ronwen Williams was named the best keeper of the year.

Thapelo Maseko won the Men’s Promising Player of the Year beating two Zambians, Miguel Chaiwa and Gift Mphande while

COSAFA Executive Director Sue Destombe said, “These awards have been a long time coming and we are delighted to host the inaugural event this year. We have seen tremendous growth in our region in both men’s and women’s football, and the achievements of teams, players and coaches should be celebrated.

“These awards highlight the work that COSAFA continues to do on and off the pitch to develop football in our region and while we celebrate these successes, it also gives us the desire to do more in the future and continue this upward trajectory for our game.”