Banyana Banyana Could Bring Home CAF Awards After Three South African Nominations

South African football has received a major boost after Banyana Banyana and two of the country’s prominent women’s footballers secured nominations at the 2026 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards. The recognition comes as African football prepares to celebrate some of the best teams and players who have made an impact over the past year.

Banyana Banyana, goalkeeper Kaylin Swart and striker Thembi Kgatlana have all been shortlisted in different women’s categories, giving South Africa three opportunities to walk away with awards at the prestigious ceremony.

CAF released the nominees for the women’s categories on Tuesday, with South Africa securing nominations in three of the four categories announced. The awards ceremony will take place on Monday, 7 December 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria.

The national team has been nominated for the Women’s National Team of the Year award. This is an important recognition for Banyana Banyana, who have continued to represent South Africa in international football and remain one of the country’s biggest sporting attractions.

The nomination also highlights the importance of the team in the development of women’s football in South Africa. Over the years, Banyana Banyana have worked hard to establish themselves as a competitive force on the African continent, while also giving local supporters something to celebrate on the international stage.

There is also individual recognition for Kaylin Swart, who has been nominated for the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award. The goalkeeper, who represents JVW FC and Banyana Banyana, will be hoping to receive the prestigious honour after being included among the continent’s leading candidates.

Swart’s nomination is another positive development for South African women’s football, especially considering the importance of having talented goalkeepers representing the country at the highest level.

Meanwhile, Thembi Kgatlana has received a nomination for the Women’s Player of the Year award. The Banyana Banyana striker, who plays for Mexican club Tigres UANL, has once again attracted continental attention through her involvement in international football.

Kgatlana has become one of the most recognisable South African footballers, with her experience playing abroad adding to her profile. Her nomination places her among the players being considered for one of the biggest individual awards in African women’s football.

However, South Africa did not secure nominations in all four women’s categories. The country missed out on the Women’s Young Player of the Year award, which was the only category announced without South African representation.

Although the women’s nominees have now been confirmed, attention will also turn to the men’s categories, which CAF has yet to announce. South African football supporters will be waiting to see whether more local players, coaches or teams will feature when those nominations are released.

For Banyana Banyana, Swart and Kgatlana, the focus will now be on the December ceremony, where they will discover whether they can turn their nominations into prestigious CAF awards.

Three nominations represent encouraging recognition for South Africa, with the country’s women’s football talent once again receiving attention at continental level.

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