Two Cape Town women were crowned African queens at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards.
Banyana Banyana star Chrestinah Thembi Kgatlana and mentor Desiree Ellis were named Women’s Player of the Year and Coach of the Year respectively in Dakar, Senegal, on Tuesday night.
Both women have been honoured after the South African Women’s Football team’s run to the African Women’s Cup of Nations (Awcon) final.
Kgatlana has enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top of continental football since going professional only two years ago after being named UWC Sportswoman of the Year.
The 22-year-old striker had a remarkable 2018, helping cement Banyana’s status as a force in African football.
STAR: Chrestinah Kgatlana. Photo: STR/EPA
In SA’s run to the final, the 1.56m tall ace scored five goals - her first of the tournament, a volley in a 1-0 win over Nigeria, also won the Goal of the Year Award.
Her form in Ghana secured the Best Player of the Tournament too.
And Kgatlana dedicated her award for the best player in Africa to her teammates and coach.
She says: “I will say all my pride to have won these two titles, the title of the best goal is very remarkable. It is a great honour and a great pride.
“These two titles belong to all colleagues and coaches fighting for the promotion of women’s football in South Africa.”
Former Banyana captain, Ellis, was recognised for her role in SA’s progress in the game as the team also clinched a historic first qualification for the Women’s World Cup and will compete in France during June and July.