The Confederation of African Football (CAF) unveiled the nominations on Wednesday, with South Africa featuring prominently across several of the men’s categories.

Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena is among the contenders for the prestigious Player of the Year award, while Bafana Bafana and Sundowns captain Ronwen Williams has been nominated for Goalkeeper of the Year. 

Mokoena is in some illustrious company alongside the three Moroccans in Ismael Saibari of Bayern Munich, Brahim Diaz of Real Madrid, and Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint-Germain, who have all been nominated as well. The former Liverpool and Bayern great, Sadio Mané of Senegal, has also been nominated.

Teboho Mokoena. Photo: Morgan Piek

Khuliso Mudau and Mokoena have also earned recognition in the Interclub Player of the Year category, while Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso is in the running for Coach of the Year.

South Africa’s achievements over the past year have also been recognised at national team level, with Bafana Bafana nominated for National Team of the Year. Sundowns, meanwhile, are among the contenders for Club of the Year.

CAF described the nominations as a reflection of an outstanding period for African football, with the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, the continent’s record representation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and performances in CAF’s interclub competitions among the major highlights.

Achraf Hakimi. Photo: Morgan Piek

African football enjoyed a historic World Cup campaign, with 10 nations qualifying for the tournament in the US, Mexico, and Canada. Nine of those teams progressed to the Round of 32, underlining the continent’s growing competitiveness on the global stage.

Bafana Bafana also made their mark by reaching the knockout stages, while Sundowns further enhanced their continental reputation by securing a second CAF Champions League crown. The Tshwane giants defeated Morocco’s FAR Rabat 2-1 on aggregate in the final on 24 May 2026.

The recognition of Williams, Mudau, and Mokoena is particularly significant, given their contributions to both club and country during a successful period for South African football.

Ismael Saibari. Photo: Morgan Piek

The 2026 CAF Awards ceremony will be held in Lagos, Nigeria, on Monday, 7 December.

Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane is expected to name his final squad on Thursday for the upcoming back-to-back 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Kenya.

South Africa will welcome Benni McCarthy’s Kenyan side to the Orlando Arena in Soweto on Friday, 13 November, with kick-off scheduled for 18:00. The teams will then travel to Nairobi for the return fixture on Tuesday.

Brahim Diaz. Photo: Morgan Piek

Player of the Year: Teboho Mokoena, Amad Diallo, Yoane Wissa, Antoine Semenyo, Ismael Saibari, Achraf Hakimi, Brahim Diaz, Ismaila Sarr, Pape Gueye, Sadio Mané.

Goalkeeper of the Year: Ronwen Williams, Oussama Benbot, Vozinha, Yahia Fofana, Lionel Mpasi, El-Mahdi Soliman, Mostafa Shobeir, Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti, Yassine Bonou, Edouard Mendy.

Interclub Player of the Year: Khuliso Mudau, Teboho Mokoena, Abdennour Belhocini, Ahmed Khaldi, Trezeguet, Mohamed Shehata, Mohamed Rabie Hrimat, Mounir Chouiar, Sofiane El Moudane, Abdel Raouf.

Coach of the Year: Miguel Cardoso, Lamine N’Diaye, Bubista, Sébastien Desabre, Hossam Hassan, Moatamed Gamal, Alexandre Santos, Mohamed Ouahbi, Walid Regragui, Pape Thiaw.

Young Player of the Year: Ibrahim Maza, Christian Kofane, Christ Inao, Yan Diomande, Hamza Abdelkarim, Caleb Yirenkyi, Ismael Kamissoko, Abdellah Ouazane, Ayoub Bouaddi, Ibrahim Mbaye.

National Team of the Year: South Africa, Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia.

Club of the Year: Mamelodi Sundowns, CR Belouizdad, USM Alger, AS Maniema, Zamalek, AS FAR, Olympic Safi, RS Berkane, Al Hilal, Espérance Sportive de Tunis.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cvs