Stellenbosch FC has been nominated for the CAF Men’s Club of the Year award after enjoying a stellar maiden campaign in the CAF Confederation Cup last season.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Confederation of African Football, the governing body for football in Africa, announced its 10 nominees for the 2025 CAF Men’s Club of the Year award.

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Stellenbosch FC, who famously reached the semi-final of the CAF Confederation Cup at the first time of asking last season, are among the teams that have been named in the running for the prestigious accolade.

The nominees for each award category were selected by a panel of experts made up of CAF Technical Committee members, experienced coaches, CAF legends, and selected media representatives, based on their performances between 6 January and 15 October 2025.

𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 (𝗠𝗲𝗻) – 𝗡𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝘀#CAFAwards2025 pic.twitter.com/P3aOaGhXgU

— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) October 22, 2025

Stellies overcame the challenge of Nsingizini Hotspurs, AS Vita, Stade Malien, Lunda Sul, and reigning champions Zamalek en route to reaching the last four, where they narrowly fell short against eventual runners-up, Simba SC.

The Maroons have been nominated alongside nine of the continent’s biggest clubs, namely CR Belouizdad, CS Constantine, ASEC Mimosas, Pyramids FC, RS Berkane, Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, Al Hilal, and Simba.

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“For a Club founded just nine years ago in the second tier of South African football, to now be competing successfully at  continental level and shortlisted for CAF Club of the Year makes us immensely proud,” CEO Rob Benadie said.

“We congratulate the other nominees, in particular our South African counterparts Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.  Three nominations from South Africa provides further proof of the strength of our domestic Premiership.”

Past winners of the CAF Club of the Year award:

2024: Al Ahly (Egypt)
2023: Al Ahly (Egypt)
2022: Wydad Casablanca (Morocco)
2017: Wydad Casablanca (Morocco)
2016: Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
2015: TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
2014: ES Sétif (Algeria)
2013: Al Ahly (Egypt)
2012: Al Ahly (Egypt)
2011: Esperance de Tunis (Tunisia)
2010: TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
2009: TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
2008: Al Ahly (Egypt)
2007: Étoile du Sahel (Tunisia)
2006: Al Ahly (Egypt)
2005: Al Ahly (Egypt)
2004: Enyimba (Nigeria)
2003: Enyimba (Nigeria)
2002: Zamalek (Egypt)
2001: Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa)

Stellenbosch FC is once again competing in the CAF Confederation Cup during the 2025-26 season and recently opened their campaign with a 0-0 2nd Preliminary Round 1st Leg draw against 15 de Agosto de Akonibe of Equatorial Guinea.

Meanwhile, former Stellenbosch FC defender Tylon Smith, has been nominated for CAF Young Player of the Year after his exploits during South Africa’s CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations triumph earlier this year, where he was also named Player of the Tournament.

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At the time, Smith was part of Stellies’ DStv Diski Challenge structure and has since completed a transfer to English Championship side Queens Park Rangers, where he recently made his senior debut.