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Mamelodi Sundowns lead early nominations for CAF Awards 2026
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Mamelodi Sundowns lead early nominations for CAF Awards 2026

The Mamelodi Sundowns team is demonstrating dominance in the preliminary lists for the CAF Awards 2026. After winning the CAF Champions League trophy, Teboho Mokoena received a nomination for his impressive goal that decided the match.

The prestigious CAF Awards 2026 ceremony will take place on December 7th in Lagos, Nigeria. The current African champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, top the candidate lists due to their sensational advance towards securing a second African crown.

It is no surprise that the Masandawana team is a favorite for Club of the Year, as they have shown an uncompromising run of results on the continent, confirming their status as the benchmark of African club football.

The captain of the 'Yellow Nation', Ronwen Williams, is also featured in the individual awards list, vying for the title of Goalkeeper of the Year. Among the candidates for Player of the Year among clubs is teammate Teboho Mokoena, and coach Miguel Cardoso has received a well-deserved nomination for Coach of the Year.

Although the full list of nominees has not yet been announced, the current African Player of the Year from Morocco, Ashraf Hakimi, is aiming to defend his title after winning the UEFA Champions League and his country's participation in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Nigeria will host the ceremony for the fourth time, having previously hosted the event in 2008, 2013, and 2014. Furthermore, Nigeria will host the CAF General Assembly before the ceremony on November 21st.

Both Williams and Mokoena helped Bafana qualify and reach the World Cup playoffs. Mokoena attracted public attention in the final with his wonderful free-kick, which led to the triumph of the Brazilians after an inspiring season of performances.

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Mamelodi Sundowns face injury crisis ahead of MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates
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Mamelodi Sundowns face injury crisis ahead of MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates

Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Tebogo Mokoeona sustained an injury during the Bafana Bafana national team match against Guinea. Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso may have to look for two substitutes for the starting lineup when the team meets Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday evening, October 10th, starting at 18:00.

MTN8 Final

Aubrey Modiba and Tebogo Mokoeona were injured during Bafana Bafana's 2-1 victory over Guinea in the first round of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at Orlando Amstel Arena. Because of this, they missed the 5-0 victory over Eritrea in the next qualifying match in Cairo on Wednesday evening.

The absence of these two players was not felt: Samukele Kabini brilliantly replaced Modiba on the left defense, and Mokoeona's replacement, teammate Batusi Aubaas, also suffered an injury early in the first half and was replaced by Brooklyn Poggenpole, who made an impressive debut in central midfield.

The trio of Modiba, Mokoeona, and Aubaas underwent medical examinations before the Bafana friendly match against Egypt at the Cairo International Stadium on Sunday. If the results are unfavorable, they will likely miss the intense clash with Pirates in Durban.

If Modiba and Mokoeona cannot participate in the Wafa Wafa Cup final, they will be a huge loss for the Brazilians, as Cardoso will be forced to consider Favaaz Basadien and Sfelele Mkhulise for the starting lineup in the left-back and midfield positions, respectively. Aubaas is not a regular starter.

The possible absence of this pair may disappoint Cardoso, but it is not unexpected. Speaking on Sundowns' pursuit of the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific title, he gave a reserved response about why it was crucial to allow the new Bafana coach, Pitsos Mosimane, to have the best players available, despite the fact that Sundowns players are likely overworked and vulnerable to injuries due to the tight schedule.

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