Bafana And Sundowns Nominated For Top CAF Awards
South Africa has secured two nominations for the 2026 CAF Awards, with Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns shortlisted for National Team of the Year and Club of the Year, respectively.
Bafana Bafana’s nomination follows a historic campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America (hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States), where South Africa reached the knockout stage for the first time in their history. Their campaign ended dramatically in the Round of 32 after conceding a last-minute goal against co-hosts Canada.
Earlier in the year, Pitso Mosimane’s side also reached the Round of 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, where they were eliminated by Cameroon.
South Africa faces fierce competition for National Team of the Year against Algeria, Cape Verde, DR Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. All ten nominees competed at the 2026 World Cup, with Tunisia being the sole African representative to exit in the group stage.
The race for the award is expected to come down to Senegal and Morocco—the two AFCON finalists—where the Teranga Lions claimed the continental crown. However, Senegal’s AFCON victory remains subject to an ongoing appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
On the domestic front, Mamelodi Sundowns stand as strong favorites for Club of the Year after lifting the CAF Champions League title last season, ending a 10-year drought.
Sundowns are nominated alongside CR Belouizdad, USM Alger, AS Maniema Union, Zamalek, AS FAR, Olympic Club Safi, RS Berkane, Al Hilal, and ES Tunis.
Coincidentally, Sundowns will clash with fellow nominee USM Alger in the CAF Super Cup at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday. USM Alger earned their place in the showpiece fixture after winning last season’s CAF Confederation Cup.
