Yashin Trophy: African goalkeepers nominated over the years

African goalkeepers have been getting recognition for their impressive performances for their respective clubs and a number of them have earned Ballon d’Or nominations.

At the Ballon d’Or awards, the best goalkeeper in the world is presented with the Yashin Trophy.

The Trophy has been handed out since 2019 and it is named after legendary Soviet goalkeeper Lev Yashin, the only goalkeeper to have won the Ballon d’Or in 1963.

Since then, six African goalkeepers have earned nominations for the Yashin trophy, five men and one woman, but none of them have to won it, although the 2026 award is yet to be handed out.

Ahead of the 2026 Ballon d’Or Awards ceremony in London on October 26, Afrik-Foot highlights the African goalkeepers who have been nominated for the Yashin Trophy over the years.

Ronwen Williams

Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams made history when he was nominated for the Yashin Trophy in 2024.

While not the first African to earn the recognition, Williams was the first goalkeeper and player based in Africa to get a Ballon d’Or nomination.

The former SuperSport United star was nominated after a standout season when he started the year by helping Sundowns win the inaugural African Football League before they retained their Premier Soccer League title.

However, what really put him on the map was his performances at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where he saved four penalties in the shootouts against Cape Verde in the quarter-final before he saved two against DR Congo in the third-place playoff as South Africa won bronze.

Williams, who was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament at AFCON 2023, finished ninth as Emiliano Martinez of Argentina won the 2024 Yashin Trophy.

Yassine Bounou

Morocco’s Yassine Bounou is the African goalkeeper with the most Yashin Trophy nominations as he has been shortlisted four times.

Bounou, who plays for Saudi giants Al-Hilal, was first nominated in 2022, when he finished eighth, before third place in 2023, the best by an African goalkeeper, behind Ederson and winner Emiliano Martinez.

The former Sevilla goalkeeper earned another recognition in 2025 and he is on the shortlist again this year after keeping 30 clean sheets in 48 matches.

Bounou was also instrumental for Morocco as they made it to the 2026 World Cup quarter-final and he will be hoping for a better outcome this time.

Edouard Mendy

Senegal and Al-Ahli goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is also a multiple Yashine Trophy nominee.

Mendy was first nominated in 2022 after helping the Teranga Lions win their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations.

Mendy finished fourth that year as Thibaut Courtois of Belgium and Real Madrid won it ahead of Brazilian duo Alisson and Ederson.

The former Chelsea star has earned a nomination again this year after keeping 28 clean sheets across 56 matches for club and country while helping Al-Ahli win the Asian Champions League and Saudi Super Cup.

Andre Onana

Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana has seen his stock fall in recent years but he was one of the best goalkeepers in the world three years ago.

Onana earned a Ballon d’Or nomination for the 2023 Yashin Trophy after starring for Italian giants Inter Milan as they made it to the final of the UEFA Champions League.

The former Manchester United, Ajax Amsterdam and Barcelona star kept 19 clean sheets in the 2022-23 season as Inter reached the Champions League final and won the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana.

He finished sixth in the Yashin Trophy ranking as Emiliano Martinez claimed the award while he was 23^rd in the overall men’s Ballon d’Or vote.

Vozinha

Cape Verde’s viral goalkeeper Josimar Jose Evora Dias, simply known as Vozinha, is the latest entrant on the list of nominees for the prestigious award.

The 40-year-old became an instant celebrity at the 2026 World Cup following his historic performances, notably against Spain in their tournament opener.

Vozinha is the first-ever player from Cape Verde to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or and it comes after he made 18 saves across four matches—including seven saves in the goalless draw against eventual winners Spain and eight saves in a narrow 3-2 extra-time loss to Argentina in the Round of 32.

Chiamaka Nnadozie

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie is the first and only female African goalkeeper to earn a Yashin trophy nomination.

Nnadozie was nominated in 2025 after helping the Nigeria Super Falcons to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Now playing for English club Brighton & Hove Albion, Nnadozie finished fourth in the Yashin Trophy ranking as Hannah Hampton of England and Chelsea won the award.