The event, which as usual will pay tribute to the best performances on and off the football field in 2023, nominated players, coaches, referees and other players in the sport, with the common denominator of all coming from Southern Africa.
The awards were open to all players and coaches from the 14 COSAFA member associations, regardless of where they work. Jerson Emiliano, who could bring the title of 'Referee of the Year' with him to Angola, was nominated for the first time.
The COSAFA categories to be awarded in next Thursday's speech will be: 'Player of the Year', 'Goalkeeper of the Year', 'Most Promising Player of the Year' (aged 20 or under), 'Coach of the Year' and ' Referee of the Year'. 'Lifetime Achievement' awards will also be awarded to personalities who have shaped football in the region over the last few decades.
It is recalled that COSAFA member associations are Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Jerson Emiliano was born in the province of Huíla. He has a degree in Mathematics, having already taught as a teacher in the subject. Married with two daughters, he began his career as an international assistant referee in 2014, at the Youth Olympic Games, in China. After several international representations in various competitions, the FIFA Judges Committee made public last April that the Angolan international, currently 40 years old, is part of the group of 42 assistants nominated for the Paris Olympic Games, taking place this year. . This is the first time in history that Angola will be represented by a national referee in the Olympic Games football tournament, considered the biggest sporting competition on a global scale.
“It is always an honor when we are called. It's true that we could have a significant number, but because I'm the only one, it ends up being a great responsibility and honor for me. Of course, it's not just Jerson, when they mention my name in each match, they will mention my country. I am very honored and I guarantee that my performance could open doors for other referees, just like in the African Cup of Nations, held in Côte D'Ivoire, where Angola had the presence of two assistants”, said the referee in statements to Jornal de Angola .
