Mumbai City FC winger Lallianzuala Chhangte, along with Chhangte Mishra and Clifford Miranda, were honored with prestigious awards at the AIFF Awards. Chhangte was announced as the 2022-23 AIFF Men’s Footballer of the Year, becoming only the second player from Mizoram to receive this recognition. Akash Mishra was named the AIFF Men’s Emerging Player of the Year, while Clifford Miranda, the former Indian international, won the AIFF Men’s Coach of the Year award.
Lallianzuala Chhangte has proven to be a standout star over the past year. He played an essential role in helping Mumbai City FC secure the League Winners’ Shield, appearing in all 22 matches of the Indian Super League (ISL) last season. The 26-year-old netted 10 goals and provided six assists for his team. Chhangte also impressed on the international stage, scoring two goals and assisting one in 12 appearances for India.
Meanwhile, Akash Mishra, the 21-year-old left-back, had a remarkable season with Hyderabad FC before making a move to Mumbai City FC. He played a crucial role in helping his team keep ten clean sheets in the Hero ISL season. Mishra’s defensive skills and attacking prowess caught the attention of the national team selectors, and he quickly became a regular player for the Indian national team.
Clifford Miranda, the former Indian international, was voted as the AIFF Men’s Coach of the Year. Miranda guided Odisha FC to their first-ever silverware, the Hero Super Cup, and secured qualification for the AFC Cup. He took over as the interim head coach following the departure of Josep Gombau and played a crucial role in the club’s historical qualification for the ISL playoffs. The 40-year-old has recently left Odisha FC to pursue new coaching challenges.
In the women’s category, Manisha Kalyan, the 21-year-old forward, won the AIFF Women’s Footballer of the Year award for the 2022-23 season. This is her second consecutive win after previously being honored as the AIFF Women’s Emerging Footballer of the Year in the 2020-21 season. Shilji Shaji, a 16-year-old forward, was named the AIFF Women’s Emerging Player of the Year. Shaji, currently a member of the Indian U-17 team, emerged as the top scorer in the 2023 SAFF U-17 Women’s Championship.
Priya Parathi Valappil, the former Indian international and current head coach of the India U17 women’s team, received the AIFF Women’s Coach of the Year award. Valappil’s coaching expertise has been instrumental in the development of young talent in the Indian women’s football setup.
The AIFF Awards have recognized and celebrated the exceptional talents and contributions of these players and coaches in Indian football. These individuals have demonstrated skill, dedication, and a commitment to elevating the sport in the country.
The AIFF Awards serve as a platform to honor and inspire future generations of footballers, setting high standards for excellence in Indian football. With their exceptional performances, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Akash Mishra, Clifford Miranda, Manisha Kalyan, and Shilji Shaji have established themselves as role models for aspiring footballers across the nation.
