Khuliso Mudau, the right-back for Sundowns, is also nominated, but he is currently unavailable due to a foot injury.

Mokoena has been recognized in both the African Footballer of the Year and Interclub Player of the Year categories. The midfield sensation had an outstanding year for his club and country, including a goal in the CAF Champions League final second leg against AS FAR Rabat in Morocco.

He displayed exceptional composure on the international stage, successfully converting a crucial penalty in Bafana Bafana’s 1-1 draw against Czechia during their second group-stage match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Despite being suspended for South Africa’s final group match against South Korea, Mokoena played an integral role in making history, as Bafana Bafana reached the World Cup knockout stages for the very first time.

In the prestigious African Footballer of the Year category, Mokoena will compete against notable players such as Sadio Mané, Achraf Hakimi (the defending champion), Brahim Díaz, Ismaïla Sarr, Pape Gueye, Ismael Saibari, Antoine Semenyo, Yoane Wissa, and Amad Diallo.

For the Interclub Player of the Year, Mokoena and his teammate Mudau are on a shortlist that includes Abdel Raouf, Mohamed Hrimat, Mounir Chouair, Sofian El Moudane, Abdennour Belhocini, Ahmed Khaldi, Mahmoud Hassan, and Mohamed Shehata.

On the other hand, Williams—who won the Goalkeeper of the Year award in 2024—faces stiff competition from the current holder Yassine Bounou, Édouard Mendy, Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti, Mostafa Shobeir, El Mahdy Soliman, Oussama Benbot, Vozinha, Yahia Fofana, and Lionel Mpasi.

To conclude the Masandawana nominations, head coach Miguel Cardoso, who led Sundowns to CAF Champions League victory last season, is nominated 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 is scheduled to be held in Lagos, Nigeria, on December 7.