The nominees for the category of the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year at the inaugural 2023 COSAFA Awards have been unveiled.
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 performances for the period of January 1 to December 31, 2023.
The judging covers their form for club and country. The three nominees are as follows (in alphabetical order):
Andile Dlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns & South Africa) – Was on the bench for all four of South Africa’s games at the 2023 Women’s World Cup but did help Mamelodi Sundowns to the domestic South African league, COSAFA Women’s Champions League and CAF Women’s Champions League titles, conceding only one goal along the way in the latter two and none in the continental finals.
Mercy Sikelo (Ntopwa & Malawi) – It was a bumper year for Sikelo, who played a leading role as her club side Ntopwa claimed the FAM Women’s Championship with a penalty shoot- out win over Ascent Academy, in which Sikelo saved the decisive kick. She then went on to help Malawi claim a maiden COSAFA Women’s Championship crown with a 2-1 victory over holders Zambia in the final.
Kaylin Swart (JvW FC & South Africa) – Swart played all four games for South Africa at the 2023 Women’s World Cup but did concede two goals in every match. However, the quality of the opposition must be taken into account. She helped South Africa qualify for the 2024
Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals as the first-choice keeper in the team. She had a solid year with her South African club JvW, who finished third in the domestic league.