The Indian football team scripted history as they defeated Kuwait on penalties to lift their ninth SAFF Championship honour. However, right before the finals eve, the All India Football Federation announced the winners of the AIFF Awards.
Indian winger Lallianzuala Chhangte was named the Player of the Year for his exceptional performances for the national team. He also played a big role in helping Mumbai City FC secure the ISL League Winners Shield by scoring 10 goals and providing six assists in 22 appearances last season.
He became the second player from Mizoram to win the prestigious award after Jeje Lalpekhlua won it in 2016. Chhangte triumphed over Naorem Mahesh Singh and Nandhakumar Sekar to win this award in 2023.
The young winger was simply unstoppable for the Islanders as he slammed home seven more goals and provided three assists in seven Durand Cup matches. He also found the net once in the Super Cup.
On the other hand, Akash Mishra won the emerging player of the year award. Currently, he has also joined Mumbai City FC and will be a formidable unit in the upcoming season. The left-back was wanted by many clubs but he made the move to join Mumbai City FC and will continue his growth under Des Buckingham.
Mishra was superb for Hyderabad FC as they kept 10 clean sheets in the last ISL season. He has grown very fast as a player and has also made his way into the national team in no time. A major part of his development was due to the former Hyderabad FC head coach Manolo Marquez.
Mishra joins the stalwarts like Sandesh Jhingan and Pritam Kotal to become the third defender to win this award.
Meanwhile, Clifford Miranda who guided Odisha FC to their maiden silverware at the Super Cup has been voted as the AIFF Men’s Coach of the Year. Miranda took up an interim role after Josep Gombau departed Odisha FC. After that, he did wonders with the club as the Juggernauts from nowhere came to beat Bengaluru FC in the finals to lift their first-ever trophy in the club’s history.
They also secured a place in the AFC Cup with a win over Gokulam Kerala in the Club Playoffs. However, Miranda has now parted ways with Odisha FC to pursue new challenges in his career.
Among female footballers, Manisha Kalyan won the AIFF Women’s Footballer of the Year award for a great 2022-23 season. She surpassed Dalima Chhibber and Nganbam Sweety Devi to win the prestigious award.
Priya Parathi Valappil, the former Indian international and the current head coach of the India women’s U17 team, has been voted as the AIFF Women’s Coach of the Year.
