Mokoena leads South Africa’s nominations for 2026 CAF Awards

Teboho Mokoena is at the forefront of South Africa’s nominations for the 2026 CAF Awards after being included on the preliminary shortlist for both African Player of the Year and InterClub Player of the Year.

The midfielder played a central role for Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns during an outstanding season. He helped South Africa reach the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup in North America for the first time, although his most influential performances came at club level.

Mokoena’s contribution to Bafana Bafana’s progress has also helped the national team earn a nomination for National Team of the Year. The recognition reflects the improvement made under coach Hugo Broos during a historic campaign on the global stage.

At Sundowns, Mokoena was instrumental in the club’s success in the CAF Champions League. He helped them win the competition for the second time and was named Player of the Match in the final against AS FAR.

His decisive moment came in the second leg, when a superb strike brought Sundowns level and helped secure a 2-1 aggregate victory.

Sundowns defender Khuliso Mudau is also on the shortlist for InterClub Player of the Year. He played an important role in the club’s continental triumph and was also part of South Africa’s World Cup campaign.

If either Mokoena or Mudau wins the award, they would become the first South African to do so since teammate Ronwen Williams claimed the honour in 2024. Williams was the country’s second winner, following Percy Tau’s success in 2023.

A victory for either player would also make them the third Mamelodi Sundowns player to win the trophy. They would follow Williams and Denis Onyango, who received the award in 2016 after Sundowns secured their first continental title.

Sundowns could also see history repeated in the coaching category. When the club won the competition in 2016, Pitso Mosimane was named Coach of the Year. His successor, Miguel Cardoso, has now been nominated for the same award.

Williams is in contention for another individual honour after being nominated for Goalkeeper of the Year. Mamelodi Sundowns have also been shortlisted for Club of the Year after their strong continental campaign.

There is further recognition for Banyana Banyana, who have been nominated for National Team of the Year. They previously won the award in 2019 and 2022.

Goalkeeper Kaylin Swart is shortlisted for Goalkeeper of the Year, while Thembi Kgatlana is among the nominees for Player of the Year. Kgatlana will be seeking to regain the award she first won in 2018.

The final three nominees in each category will be announced a few days before the gala dinner. The awards ceremony will take place at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts in Lagos, Nigeria, on December 7.