The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled the 10-man shortlist for the 2025 Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year award, and the list is packed with seasoned veterans, international heroes, and emerging talents.
This post breaks down the contenders, analyzes the biggest talking points, and predicts who will take home the continent’s most prestigious goalkeeping honour.
We’ll dive deep into the performances that earned these shot-stoppers a place among Africa’s elite and provide the essential context you need before the final ceremony.
This year’s nominations reflect a dynamic period for African goalkeeping, balancing European club success with stellar performances in CAF inter-club competitions and major international tournaments. The list includes:
- André Onana (Cameroon)
- Vozinha (Cape Verde)
- Ahmed El Shenawy (Egypt)
- Munir Mohamedi (Morocco)
- Yassine Bounou (Morocco)
- Stanley Nwabali (Nigeria)
- Édouard Mendy (Senegal)
- Marc Diouf (Senegal)
- Ronwen Williams (South Africa)
- Aymen Dahmen (Tunisia)
The Favourites and Defining Performances
The CAF Goalkeeper of the Year award is heavily influenced by success in major tournaments and CAF club competitions. This year, the conversation centers on the reigning champion, the AFCON final hero, and the ever-consistent World Cup semi-finalist.
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Ronwen Williams: The Reigning Champion’s Claim
Ronwen Williams of South Africa and Mamelodi Sundowns is the incumbent, having won the award in 2024. His nomination is a testament to another phenomenal year.
Domestically, he captained Sundowns to an unprecedented league title, setting a joint-record low for goals conceded (just 11 in 30 games) while adding the Men’s Interclub Player of the Year title to his accolades.
Crucially, his performance at the last Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire was legendary, particularly his four penalty saves in the quarter-final shootout that guided Bafana Bafana to a historic third-place finish.
To win again, Williams will need his domestic and AFCON heroics to outweigh the high-profile European presence on the list.
Yassine Bounou: The Consistent Global Star
Morocco’s Yassine Bounou has been a perennial favourite since his World Cup heroics. His move to Al Hilal has not dimmed his light, as he continues to be a rock for the Moroccan national team.
Bounou’s name is synonymous with consistency at the highest level, and he remains one of the continent’s most internationally respected players.
His case rests on maintaining elite form for both club and country, representing the gold standard for African goalkeeping in the Saudi Pro League.
Stanley Nwabali: The Breakout Sensation
Nigeria’s Stanley Nwabali is arguably the biggest riser on the list. His performances for the Super Eagles at the AFCON were nothing short of transformative, establishing him as the clear first-choice keeper and backstopping Nigeria’s run to the final.
His commanding presence, strong shot-stopping, and cool head in crucial moments (including the decisive penalty shootout against South Africa) have earned him massive recognition.
While his club football at Chippa United is less high-profile than some others, his impact on the international stage this year makes him a serious contender.
The Elite European & Inter-Club Contenders
Beyond the top three, a quartet of internationally recognized keepers and club competition stars make for compelling cases.
Édouard Mendy (Senegal) continues his career at Al Ahli, showcasing the form that previously saw him win the UEFA Champions League. A reliable force for Senegal, Mendy’s nomination confirms he remains one of Africa’s top talents, even outside of Europe’s top five leagues.
His Senegalese compatriot, Marc Diouf of Tengueth, represents excellence in the domestic African club scene.
André Onana (Cameroon) has endured a year of transition with some high-profile club shifts, but his raw talent and world-class shot-stopping ability cannot be ignored. When at his best, he is one of the continent’s most naturally gifted keepers.
The list is also strengthened by goalkeepers who shone for their respective countries and clubs within the continent. Ahmed El Shenawy (Egypt/Pyramids) and Aymen Dahmen (Tunisia/CS Sfaxien) represent the consistency needed to compete in the demanding Egyptian and Tunisian leagues and for their national teams.
Vozinha (Cape Verde) earned his spot as a key figure in the Cape Verde national team’s run, which turned many heads during the last tournament cycle.
Prediction
While Yassine Bounou and Ronwen Williams present rock-solid cases backed by consistent high performance and past accolades, the sheer impact of Stanley Nwabali at the AFCON, combined with the momentum of his breakout year, makes him an incredibly strong candidate.
However, based on the totality of work—club consistency, AFCON performance (winning the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award), and the sustained elite level—Ronwen Williams is positioned to retain his title.
His dual recognition in the previous year (Goalkeeper of the Year and Interclub Player of the Year) shows the panel’s appreciation for his efforts across all competitions.
