Mamelodi Sundowns lead 2026 CAF Awards nominations after Champions League triumph

Mamelodi Sundowns are the early leading presence on the shortlist for the 2026 CAF Awards after winning the CAF Champions League for the second time.

The awards ceremony will take place in Lagos, Nigeria, on Monday, December 7, with the South African champions nominated in several of the main categories.

Sundowns are in contention for Club of the Year after a dominant campaign across the continent, which reinforced their position among African club football’s leading teams.

Their captain, Ronwen Williams, has been shortlisted for Goalkeeper of the Year, while Teboho Mokoena is nominated for the Interclub Player of the Year award.

Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso is also in the running for Coach of the Year.

Mokoena’s nomination follows a decisive contribution in the CAF Champions League final. With Sundowns under considerable pressure, the Bafana Bafana midfielder struck a spectacular long-range effort from outside the 18-area to help secure the trophy for the club.

His performances throughout the season, including the effort that settled the final, played a major part in Sundowns being crowned African champions.

CAF has not yet published the complete list of nominees. However, reigning Men’s African Player of the Year Achraf Hakimi is expected to be nominated as he seeks to retain the award.

The Moroccan defender won the Uefa Champions League and helped his national team progress further at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Williams and Mokoena also played their part as Bafana Bafana qualified for the World Cup and reached the knockout stages.

Nigeria will host the CAF Awards for the fourth time. The country previously staged the ceremony in 2008, 2013 and 2014.

Before the awards event, Nigeria is scheduled to host the CAF Ordinary General Assembly on November 21.