CAF Awards 2026: USM Alger, Zamalek and Mamelodi Sundowns among African Club of the Year nominees

Ten clubs from seven countries feature on the shortlist, with four having won at least one trophy in 2025-2026

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CAF Awards 2026: USM Alger, Zamalek and Mamelodi Sundowns among African Club of the Year nominees

CAF has announced the ten candidates for the 2026 African Club of the Year award. USM Alger, Zamalek, Mamelodi Sundowns and Espérance de Tunis all lifted at least one trophy in 2025-2026.

The Confederation of African Football has selected representatives from seven countries for this men’s category at the CAF Awards. Algeria has two nominated clubs and Morocco three, while DR Congo, Egypt, South Africa, Sudan and Tunisia each have one contender.

The ten clubs nominated for the 2026 CAF Awards

CR Belouizdad (Algeria)
USM Alger (Algeria)
AS Maniema Union (DR Congo)
Zamalek SC (Egypt)
AS FAR (Morocco)
Olympique de Safi (Morocco)
RS Berkane (Morocco)
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
Al Hilal SC (Sudan)
Espérance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia)

Club of the Year (Men) - Nominees #CAFAwards2026
— CAF (@CAF_Online), November 4, 2026

The trophy-winning clubs from the 2025-2026 season

USM Alger complete a domestic and continental double

USM Alger won two trophies during the past campaign. The Algiers club first lifted the Algerian Cup by beating CR Belouizdad 2-1 in the final, taking its record in the competition to ten titles.

The Red and Blacks then defeated Zamalek to win the CAF Confederation Cup. After a 1-1 aggregate draw, USMA prevailed 8-7 in the penalty shootout to claim the trophy for the second time.

Zamalek crowned Egyptian champions

Zamalek ended the 2025-2026 season as Egyptian champions. The Cairo club secured the league title for the 15th time in its history, while also reaching the CAF Confederation Cup final.

Mamelodi Sundowns conquer Africa

Mamelodi Sundowns lifted the CAF Champions League after beating AS FAR 2-1 on aggregate. It was the South African club’s second major continental crown, following its first triumph in 2016.

Two trophies for Espérance de Tunis

Espérance Sportive de Tunis won the Tunisian Cup after defeating ES Zarzis 1-0 in the final. The victory delivered the club’s 17th triumph in the competition and a second consecutive title.

The Tunisian side had also added the Tunisian Super Cup to its honours at the start of the season. Along with USM Alger, Espérance are one of only two nominees to have won multiple trophies during the 2025-2026 campaign.

Six other candidates complete the shortlist

CR Belouizdad, AS Maniema Union, AS FAR, Olympique de Safi, RS Berkane and Al Hilal SC complete the official shortlist. None of those six clubs won a trophy during the 2025-2026 season.

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