23 October 2025 – South African football was well represented when the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced the nominees in the Men’s Categories for the 2025 CAF Awards.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup-bound Bafana Bafana have been named in the men’s national team of the year category and coach Hugo Broos’ charges will be competing against Algeria, Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, the Morocco U-20 team, the Morocco senior side, Senegal and Tunisia.
Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams has been nominated in the men’s goalkeeper of the year category and he will fight it out with with Andre Onana, Vozinha, Ahmed El Shenawy, Munir Mohamedi, Yassine Bonou, Stanley Nwabali, Edouard Mendy, Marc Diouf and Aymen Dahmen.
Rising stars Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Tylon Smith have been named in the men’s young player of the year category and they will be up against Asharaf Tapsoba, Alynho Haidara, Noah Sadiki, Abdellah Ouazane, Houssam Essadak, Othmane Maamma, Daniel Bameyi and Momoh Kamara.
The South African flag is flying high in the men’s club of the year category as Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch are on the list. They will be up against CR Belouizdad, CS Constantine, ASEC Mimosas, Pyramids, RS Berkane, Al Hilal and Simba.
According to CAF, the impact of players and coaches on the African and global game has been immense for the period under consideration of 6 January to 15 October 2025, and these nominations reflect those who have made major contributions to football on the continent.
A panel of experts made up of CAF Technical & Development Committee members, experienced coaches, CAF Legends and selected media representatives decided on 10 nominees for each category considering the performance in all competitions.
South African Football: The league has historically seen fluctuations in team performance, with various clubs achieving success over the years.
Storm Master
Padkos – food for the journey [putt-koss] Food that you will pack and take on the road – some sandwiches, drinks, chips, fruit and biltong and you have your padkos!
Night Magnet
The Nelson is a term used to refer to a score of 111 by an individual player or a team. This is also used for multiples of 111, such as 222 (double Nelson), 333 (triple Nelson), and so on. The Nelson is considered unlucky because the number 111 is similar in appearance to a bail-less wicket. Players and fans believe that something bad or unlucky would occur when a player or team reaches that score.