COSAFA would like to extend our congratulations to South Africa coach Desiree Ellis and forward Thembi Kgatlana for their victories at the Confederation of African Football awards ceremony in Dakar on Tuesday.

Ellis was named African Women’s Coach of the Year after leading Banyana Banyana to the COSAFA Women’s Championship title and the silver medal at the African Women’s Championship in Ghana.

She also qualified South Africa for the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time in their history.

Kgatlana, who plays in the United States with Houston Dash, picked up the African Women’s Footballer of the Year prize as well as the African Goal of the Year for her stunning strike against Nigeria at the continental championships.

The honour makes up for the disappointment of losing out on the top prize last year when she finished behind Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala.

“That is something that drove me to get even better,” Kgatlana told COSAFA.com recently. “I was disappointed to miss out but it made me more determined than ever to succeed. I want to be known as the best player in Africa.”

Kgatlana also received praise from her national captain and former teammate in Houston, Janine van Wyk.

“So proud of this girl. You have worked extremely hard this past year. The challenges you have overcome has paid off,” Van Wyk tweeted.