Dlamini, Motlhalo Among 5 Banyana Banyana Stars Named in CAF Women’s Best XI

• South Africa dominates the 2023 CAF Women's Best XI with five Banyana Banyana stars recognised
• Banyana Banyana impressed during the FIFA Women's World Cup during the summer
• Andile Dlamini and Bambanani Mbane both had a remarkable year

South Africa’s football prowess was rewarded during the 2023 CAF Awards ceremony as five Banyana Banyana players were named in the Women’s Team of the Year.

The stellar XI, led by Mamelodi Sundowns' duo Andile Dlamini and Bambanani Mbane, featured Glasgow City midfielder Linda Motlhalo, FC Dynamo Minsk defender Lebo Ramalepe and Sassuolo’s Refiloe Jane earned a well-deserved spot in the star-studded lineup.

Joining the South African contingent were three standout Nigerian players – Osinachi Ohale (Deportivo Alaves Gloriosas), Michielle Aloize (Houston Dash) and the legendary Asisat Oshoala (Barcelona).

In addition to her place in the Women's Best XI, Oshoala clinched the African Women’s Player of the Year title for an unprecedented sixth time.

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Completing the Women’s Best XI were Moroccan midfielder Fatima Tagnaout from ASFAR, Zambia’s Barbara Banda (Shanghai Shengli) and Malawi’s Tabitha Chawinga (Jianghan University/Paris Saint-Germain), Daily Post reports.

Despite being drawn into the dangerous Group G at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup with the likes of Sweden, Argentina and Italy, South Africa progressed into the knockout stage.

They lost their opening group game to Sweden Women 2-1 and then fought hard to earn a 2-2 draw against Argentina before a nervy 3-2 win over South African powerhouse Argentina.

They crashed out of the tournament in Round 16 after losing 2-0 to the Netherlands, but they left with their heads high.

Percy Tau Wins Inter-Club Player of the Year Award

Sports Brief earlier reported that South Africa forward Percy Tau bagged the Interclub Player of the Year gong at the 2023 CAF Awards in Morocco.

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The former Brighton and Hove Albion winger beat competition from DR Congo's Fiston Mayele and Mamelodi Sundowns forward Peter Shahalulile to win the award.

Tau enjoyed an outstanding season with the Red Devils, emerging as the player with the most goal contributions as Al-Ahly reclaimed the CAF Champions League. The winger scored five goals and provided five assists in 12 matches in the CAF Champions League.