The national team, goalkeeper Kaylin Swart and forward Thembi Kgatlana have all been recognised, with the trio featuring on the shortlist for the December ceremony.
South Africa (05 November 2026) – South African women’s football celebrates the country’s biggest stars earning recognition in three categories at the upcoming 2026 CAF Awards.
Thembi Kgatlana, Kaylin Swart and the national team have all made the shortlist for the ceremony, which is scheduled to take place in Nigeria on Monday, 7 December.
Banyana Banyana are nominated for Women’s National Team of the Year, where they will face competition from the likes of Nigeria, Morocco, Ghana, Malawi and Cameroon, among others.
It is a category South Africa knows well, having previously claimed the honour in 2019 and 2022.
Goalkeeper Kaylin Swart will also be hoping to bring home some individual recognition after earning a nomination for Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year. She is up against a strong group of contenders, including Algeria’s Chloe N’Gazi, Malawi’s Mercy Sikelo and Zambia’s Hazel Nali.
There is further South African interest in the headline individual award, with forward Thembi Kgatlana shortlisted for Women’s Player of the Year.
The Mexico-based attacker previously won the award in 2019 and will be looking to add another continental honour to her collection. However, she faces stiff competition, including Malawi’s influential Chawinga sisters, Tabitha and Temwa, as well as Zambia’s Barbra Banda and Ghana’s Portia Boakye.
The nominations provide a welcome boost for South African football as Banyana prepare for another important assignment.
Before the awards ceremony, Desiree Ellis’ side will turn their attention to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Play-offs in Rabat, Morocco, which run from 28 November to 6 December.
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South Africa has three reasons to celebrate as Banyana and two of their standout players look to make their mark at the CAF Awards.
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