South African football has received a major boost after Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena was nominated for the prestigious 2026 CAF Men's Player of the Year award.

Mokoena is among 10 footballers shortlisted for the continental honour following the announcement of the nominees by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The nomination places the Bafana Bafana international in the company of some of Africa's most celebrated footballers, setting up a difficult battle for the prestigious prize.

Among his biggest competitors are Morocco's Achraf Hakimi, the reigning winner, Senegalese star Sadio Mané, Ghanaian forward Antoine Semenyo and Manchester United's Ivorian attacker Amad Diallo.

The shortlist also features DR Congo's Yoane Wissa, Morocco's Ismael Saibari and Brahim Diaz, as well as Senegal's Ismaila Sarr and Pape Gueye.

Mokoena's inclusion recognises his performances for both club and country, particularly his contribution to Sundowns' successful 2025/26 CAF Champions League campaign.

The midfielder played an important role in helping the Tshwane giants secure the continental title. He also scored a crucial goal in the second leg of the final against Morocco's AS FAR, as Sundowns claimed a 2-1 aggregate victory.

That achievement has strengthened his standing in African football and given South African supporters another reason to follow the awards closely.

However, Mokoena is not the only South African attracting attention.

Bafana Bafana and Sundowns captain Ronwen Williams has been nominated for Goalkeeper of the Year, while Khuliso Mudau and Mokoena are also contenders for the Men's Interclub Player of the Year award.

Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso is in the running for Coach of the Year, while the club itself has been nominated for Club of the Year. Bafana Bafana have also received recognition in the National Team of the Year category.

The 2026 CAF Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Lagos, Nigeria, on 2 December, according to CAF's latest announcement.

The voting process runs from 5 to 20 November, with CAF member associations, clubs, eligible coaches and national team captains involved in selecting the winners.

For Mokoena, the nomination represents an opportunity to bring one of African football's biggest individual honours closer to South Africa.

Source: https://x.com/ZANewsFlash/status/2120832918188863810?a=CnmZppBf-Rr5hBcVaFM&s=19