Mokoena, Ronwen Williams, And Cardoso Earn 2026 CAF Awards Nominations
Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns duo Teboho Mokoena and Ronwen Williams have earned major individual nominations for the 2026 CAF Awards.
Sundowns right-back Khuliso Mudau has also been shortlisted, though the defender remains sidelined with a foot injury.
Mokoena has been nominated for both African Footballer of the Year and Interclub Player of the Year. The midfield star enjoyed a stellar year for both club and country, scoring in the CAF Champions League final second leg against AS FAR Rabat in Morocco.
He also showed nerves of steel on the global stage, converting a crucial penalty during Bafana Bafana’s 1-1 draw against Czechia in their second group-stage match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Despite missing South Africa’s final group fixture against South Korea through suspension, Mokoena played a vital role in helping Bafana Bafana make history by reaching the World Cup knockout stage for the first time.
In the flagship African Footballer of the Year category, Mokoena faces formidable competition against Sadio Mané, Achraf Hakimi (the reigning holder), Brahim Díaz, Ismaïla Sarr, Pape Gueye, Ismael Saibari, Antoine Semenyo, Yoane Wissa, and Amad Diallo.
In the Interclub Player of the Year race, Mokoena and teammate Mudau feature on a shortlist alongside Abdel Raouf, Mohamed Hrimat, Mounir Chouair, Sofian El Moudane, Abdennour Belhocini, Ahmed Khaldi, Mahmoud Hassan, and Mohamed Shehata.
Meanwhile, Williams—who claimed the Goalkeeper of the Year award in 2024—competes against incumbent holder Yassine Bounou, Édouard Mendy, Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti, Mostafa Shobeir, El Mahdy Soliman, Oussama Benbot, Vozinha, Yahia Fofana, and Lionel Mpasi.
To cap off the Masandawana nominations, head coach Miguel Cardoso—who guided Sundowns to CAF Champions League glory last season—is shortlisted for Coach of the Year alongside Pape Thiaw, Walid Regragui, Mohamed Ouahbi, Alexandre Santos, Moatamed Gamal, Lamine N’Diaye, Bubista, Sébastien Desabre, and Hossam Hassan.
The 2026 CAF Awards ceremony will take place in Lagos, Nigeria, on 7 December.
