The Mares' players and technical staff received four nominations in this year's edition, making football the most nominated sport code. In 2023, the Mares qualified for the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) for the second consecutive time. It was an impressive run for the team during the qualification phase.
The Mares recorded the highest aggregate win by any national football team as they beat Gabon 10-1 in the first round of the qualifiers. The team also had one of the best defensive records, conceding just two times as they found the back of the net on 13 occasions in four games. The team is nominated for the Team of the Year award alongside Team Kata Karate. The duo of Sedilame Bosija and Refilwe Tholakele adds to football's nominees as they are enlisted for the prestigious Sportswoman of the Year award alongside Oratile Nowe of athletics.
Tholakele was impressive for South African side, Mamelodi Sundowns. She scored five goals to emerge as the top goal scorer in the 2023 CAF Women's Champions League as Banyana Ba Style won their second continental title. The speedy forward was also a key member of the Downs' line-up in her debut season.
On the other hand, Bosija played a key role in the Mares' 2024 WAFCON qualification run. She kept two clean sheets in the four games of the qualifying rounds, ranking among the top in the continent. The shot-stopper was also instrumental in Sundowns' title-winning season. The Mares' head coach, Alex Malete is nominated for the HeForShe award alongside, Ofentse Bakwadi of karate and chess' Pudungwane Lesole. The award is for a male who has immensely contributed to the development of women in sports. The award ceremony will start at 6pm and tickets sell at P250 and P1,000 for a VIP seat. Full list of nominees
Sportswoman of the Year Sedilame Bosija: Football Refilwe Tholakele: Football Oratile Nowe: Athletics
Sportswoman of the Year With Disability Mmakgosi Tlhakanelo: Swimming Onalethata Onneng: Bocce Ball
Young Promising Female Athlete Kyra Harry: Swimming Maeva Morebodi: Swimming Sethunya Majama: Athletics
Team of the Year Team Kata: Karate Mares: Football
Administrator of the Year Daphne Rakobe: Basketball Kate Rangosa: Fencing Tshegofatso Malepa: Table Tennis
Coach of the Year Kelebogile Monnayoo: Tennis Nnaniso Magwamba: Athletics
HeForShe Ofentse Bakwadi: Karate Pudungwane Lesole: Chess Alex Malete: Football
