Set against an elegant backdrop and attended by key figures from across the local football community, the evening celebrated the standout performers of the season, with Eloïsha Clair and William François emerging as the biggest winners after being named Best Female Player and Best Male Player respectively.
Clair, who plays for Plaisance Spoutnik, earned a commanding 60 per cent of the vote, underlining the influence she had throughout the campaign. Her performances, consistency and attacking output made her the clear choice in her category.
“I am very proud to have been voted best player, especially as last season was a difficult one for me,” she said after receiving her award. “But with the support of my coaches and teammates, I managed to overcome those challenges.”
The forward, who scored 20 goals during the season, also spoke openly about her ambitions of moving into the professional game.
“I hope football can one day become my profession. First, I need to secure an opportunity abroad, and when that happens, I will do everything I can to prove that I have what it takes to play at that level,” she added.
In the men’s category, Cercle de Joachim midfielder William François collected 50 per cent of the votes to claim the top individual honour. His award capped a season in which he stood out for his consistency, leadership and influence in midfield.
“This award shines a light on all those who supported me — my family and my friends,” François said. “I was not expecting it, even though everyone kept telling me it would be me.”
Beyond the top individual prizes, the ceremony also highlighted the next generation of Mauritian football talent.
In the women’s Most Promising Player category, Emi Figaro of HPC U20 finished first with 49 per cent of the vote, ahead of Ophélie Parisot on 36 per cent and Chrisnaëelle Jacquette on 15 per cent. On the men’s side, Messie Li Tien Kee of La Cure Waves won convincingly with 65 per cent of the votes, well clear of Yansley Domun and Nathaniel Pytambar.
Goalkeepers were also recognised for their decisive contributions over the course of the season. Cédrielle Bègue of HPC U20 was named Best Female Goalkeeper with 40 per cent of the vote, while Jininio Darbon of Cercle de Joachim secured the men’s award with 46 per cent.
The coaching category also produced notable winners. Giovanny Jeannot of Mangalkhan SC was voted Best Women’s Coach with 37 per cent, narrowly ahead of Gaëtan Tabardin and Natashia César. In the men’s category, Hemraj Singh Rajub received 33 per cent of the vote after a season in which his work on the Cercle de Joachim bench drew widespread recognition.
One of the evening’s most talked-about moments was the official unveiling of the new logo of the Mauritius national team. Presented before a curious audience, the new emblem is intended to reflect a renewed identity and a forward-looking vision for Mauritian football.
Special awards were also handed out in recognition of exceptional service and contribution to the game. Press photographer Bouck Pillay Vythilingum and former MFA secretary general Pathak Balgobin received the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Maxwell Carpede was presented with the MFA Executive Special Award.
The ceremony also paid tribute to other contributors to the sport, including members of the refereeing community such as Maria Pakita Rivet and Imtehaz Heeralall, while the traditional Best XI selections reflected the season’s dominant forces, notably Cercle de Joachim, La Cure Waves and HPC U20.
More than a celebration of individual excellence, the Football Awards served as a reminder that every accolade is built on collective effort and that Mauritian football continues to move forward on the strength of both its established figures and its emerging talent.
