Bafana Bafana football stars eclipsed as Morocco dominate the 2025 CAF Awards
CAF AWARDS
It was a tough night for Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who fell short at the 2025 CAF Awards on Wednesday, as Morocco dominated the stage.
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Host Morocco, with six awards, showcased the best of African football talent at Wednesday night’s 2025 CAF Awards in Rabat.
The North African nation underlined its rising dominance in African football, featuring prominently across all categories and cementing its status as a continental powerhouse.
South Africa, while represented among the finalists, failed to reach the podium. The nominations, however, highlighted the achievements of its players and the stiff competition from the continent’s best.
Leading Morocco’s charge was Yassine Bounou, who won Africa’s Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year, taking the title from Bafana Bafana’s Ronwen Williams, last year’s winner.
Mamelodi Sundowns’ Andile Dlamini was unsuccessful in her bid for the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award, which went to Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie for the second consecutive year.
Egyptian football also enjoyed success, with CAF Champions League winners Pyramids FC claiming the Men’s Club of the Year award. The Egyptian side narrowly edged out South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, reflecting the fierce competition in African club football.
South African Under-20 defender Tylon Smith lost the Young Player of the Year award to Morocco’s Othmane Maamma, while the Goal of the Year award went to Morocco’s Oussama Lamlioui for a spectacular strike in the CHAN final against Madagascar.
Lamlioui’s goal, from around 10 metres inside the opposition half, beat South African finalists Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo of Marumo Gallants and Banyana Banyana captain Refiloe Jane of TS Galaxy Queens.
The awards night confirmed Morocco’s growing influence in African football and offered a reminder of the level of competition facing South Africa’s emerging talent on the continental stage.