An unexpected CAF reward for Bafana Bafana

Bafana Bafana have just made South Africa beam with pride. The national senior men’s football team have secured a rather honourable nomination for the 2026 CAF Awards.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced the news on Tuesday night.

BAFANA BAFANA MAKE NEW HISTORY

South Africa have been nominated in the Team of the Year category. Morocco, Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo are also nominated in the Men’s National Team of the Year category.

The nomination comes after Hugo Broos’ superb tenure. It led to South Africa re-establishing themselves as one of Africa’s leading national teams.

Under the Belgian, the team secured direct qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending 24 years of hurt. The national team also delivered a major statement by finishing top of Group C ahead of continental heavyweights Nigeria.

Their progress did not end with qualification, with the team going on to achieve another milestone at the World Cup.

South Africa became the first Bafana Bafana side to reach the knockout stages of the tournament, further boosting the national team’s reputation and restoring pride among local supporters.

Broos has played a central role in the team’s resurgence, building a competitive side that has consistently delivered on the international stage.

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS AND ORLANDO PIRATES PROVIDE THE FOUNDATION

While several African national teams rely heavily on players competing in Europe, South Africa’s squad has been built largely around talent from the Premier Soccer League. Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates have been particularly influential in supplying players to the national team.

Meanwhile, the 2026 CAF Awards ceremony is set to happen in Lagos, Nigeria, on Monday, 7 December.

In the meantime, new coach Pitso Mosimane has enjoyed an ideal start. Under Mosimane, Bafana Bafana’s AFCON 2027 qualifiers began with two straight wins. A 2-1 victory over Guinea and the 5-0 bashing of Eritrea. Coming up next are two back-to-back games against Kenya on 13 and 17 November home and away.