The South Africa Sports Awards were held last night as many of the best performers and achievers in the last 12 months received recognition and acknowledgement of their efforts. Held in Johannesburg, the event drew a crowd of key decision-makers, stakeholders and public figures in sports circles to celebrate an eventful year in South African sports.

Big winners on the night included Bafana Bafana boss Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba who bagged the Coach of the Year award. Mashaba has overseen one of the greatest years in South African football since their famous win of the African Cup of Nations in 1996 as he has led the Bafana Bafana to qualification for the 2015 African Cup of Nations in impressive style as the team ended the qualifying series undefeated. Also having to deal with the traumatic and horrifying experience of losing their captain and key player, goalie Senzo Meyiwa, Mashaba exhibited exemplary leadership as he ensured that an event which could have legitimately undone all of the hard-work of the team was used instead as a fuel to ensure Meyiwa’s legacy.

Confirming the great respect Mashaba enjoys in sports circle, South Africa Football Association President, Danny Joordan described Mashaba as a man with a Midas touch.

“This has really been a great year for South African football, the Gods of African football are really smiling at us, as Shakes always says. As an Association we are proud of him as he has brought back the smiles to millions of South Africans who are passionate about Bafana Bafana,” Joordan said.

“It seems everything he touches turns to gold because he did the same thing with Bafana Bafana as he did with the U20 squad. Our football is clearly heading in the right direction and we want to thank this diligent South African. We are glad we made the right choice when we appointed him to lead those two teams,” said Jordaan.

Also among the big winners was Bayana Bayana striker Portia Modise who achieved the feat of reaching the 100 goal milestone during the 2015 CAF African Women Championships. Joordan described Modise as a ‘phenomenal goalscorer’ and a ‘living legend’ after the award was announced at the Sandton Conention Centre.

Bafana Bafana legend Lucas Radebe also received special recognition at the event alongside all national teams who confirmed qualification for various tournaments this year.  Swimmer Chad Le Clos was named the Sportsman of the Year while Ashleigh Moolman Pasio, a bicycle racer was named Sports Woman of the Year. The late Senzo Meyiwa was also honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

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