“Never in my wildest dreams” - Maseko grateful for COSAFA Award

Thapelo Maseko receives COSAFA Men's most promising player award during the 2024 COSAFA Awards at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on the 9th of May 2024 ©Nokwanda Zondi/BackpagePix

by Thando Mpembe

Saturday May 11, 2024. 16:22

Mamelodi Sundowns forward Thapelo Maseko was awarded the Men’s Most Promising Player at the Inaugural COSAFA Awards on Thursday evening and is extremely delighted about receiving the accolade.

Maseko was the top scorer at the African Football League and was also named the player of the tournament, which Sundowns won. The 20-year old described winning the COSAFA Award as something he never imagined in his “wildest dreams”.

Speaking about how COSAFA has helped to shape him into becoming the player that he is, Maseko highlighted that his first international tournament was the COSAFA Cup back in 2022.

“It helped me get in the national team actually, the cup really helps us and it’s been a big part of football in the African continent,” he said to Backpage News.

Giving a message to other young and upcoming players, the forward gave words of motivation and that they need to believe that “anything is possible”.

Maseko joined Sundowns from rivals SuperSport United ahead of the 2023/24 season, and in 24 games, he has two goals and one assist.

He also scored one goal for Bafana Bafana at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and broke Benni McCarthy’s record by becoming the youngest player to score for Bafana Bafana at the tournament.