22 August 2022 – The South African Football Association (SAFA) and Banyana Banyana scored several nominations after the gsport Awards list was unveiled on Monday.
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis, the SASOL-sponsored South African senior women’s national team and several players earned nominations.
There were also nominations for SAFA’s Amanda Dlamini, referee Akhona Makalima and women’s football sponsors Hollywoodbets and SASOL.
SAFA, Netball South Africa and the South African Sport Association for the Physically Disabled have been recognised for their work in raising the profile of women in sport and will battle it out in the Federation of the Year category.
Fresh after leading Banyana Banyana to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title last month, Ellis, the CAF Women’s Coach of the Year, will be up against swimming coach Eugene da Ponte and gymnastics coach Ilse Pelser Roets for the Coach of the Year award.
WAFCON champions Banyana Banyana will contest The Team of the Year award with the Golf RSA and Momentum Proteas teams.
Banyana Banyana’s Hildah Magaia will be up against golden swimmer Laura van Niekerk and Commonwealth Games judo gold medalist, Michaela Whitebooi, for the for the Momentum Athlete of the Year accolad.
FIFA-accredited referee Makalima has been recognised twice, in the SASOL Global Woman in Sport Award category and also in the Imperial African Woman in Sport.
Award-winning Banyana Banyana goalkeeper Andile Dlamini will contest for the Telkom Woman of the Year award, while fast-rising footballer Cimone Sauls was recognised in the SuperSport School Sports Star of the Year category.
Hollywoodbets and SASOL will contest the Nielsen Sports SA Sponsor of the Year.