Africa's football governing body Caf has revealed the nominees for the annual Awards Gala set for December 16 in Marrakech, Morocco.
South Africa has several nominees owing to what was achieved internationally by both Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana.
National team head coach Hugo Broos and his captain Ronwen Williams lead the race for the awards as well as the Super Eagles goalkeeper and former Kaizer Chiefs target Stanley Nwabali who had a good run with his national team.
Stanley Nwabali to battle Ronwen Williams for Goalkeeper of the Year Award
Apart from notable figures like Andre Onana of Manchester United, Chippa United custodian Stanley Nwabali and Ronwen Williams will be battling for this award.
The Nigeria international played a crucial role to help the Super Eagles reach the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals but were beaten by hosts Ivory Coast. It explains why Yahia Fofana has also made the list.
Ronwen Williams pulled fantastic saves and made daring stops during the shootout especially against DR Congo to help Bafana Bafana win bronze in Ivory Coast.
Will Broos beat Fae and Koller for the Coach of the Year Award?
Hugo Broos did well to rise against the odds and ensure Bafana Bafana win a Bronze in the 2023 Afcon.
Nevertheless, it will be tough for him to get past Ivory Coast tactician Emerse Fae who steered his team from nowhere to the top of the continent.
Al Ahly man Marcel Kohler is another figure who helped the Red Devils win the Caf Champions League and all other domestic competitions in Egypt.
South Africa captain, best of all?
Apart from being nominated for the Goalkeeper of the Year Award, Williams is also a nominee for the Club Player of the Year Award.
He was a crucial figure as Masandawana won the inaugural African Football League, reached the Caf Champions League semi-final, and won the Premier Soccer League.
Apart from the category above, the 32-year-old has been listed alongside Uefa Europa League champion Ademola Lookman, his captain William Troost-Ekong and Achraf Hakimi will be battling for the Player of the Year Award.
Bafana & Sundowns on the glory list!
Premier Soccer League champions Sundowns have been nominated thanks to their showings in the 2023/2 campaign. They won the PSL with a record 73 points – in Mzansi, won the AFL, and were in the Caf Champions League semi-final. They will battle Al Ahly for the crown.
Bafana finished on the podium in Afcon for the first time since 2000, which was a massive achievement for Broos considering that he did it with the majority of locally-based players. They will be hoping to get past Afcon champions Ivory Coast and Nigeria for the award.
