Bonolo Mokoma honoured to earn first SAFJA nomination

By Mpumi Manyisi
12th September 2026

JVW teenage sensation Bonolo Mokoma says she feels honoured to have secured her first South African Football Journalists Association (SAFJA) Awards nomination in the 2026 Women’s Player of the Season category.

The 18-year-old striker finds herself among some of the Hollywoodbets Super League’s standout performers, including Mamelodi Sundowns defender Karabo Dhlamini and Dineo Magalula, as well as TS Galaxy Queens goalkeeper Dineo Magagula and striker Leandra Smeda.

Speaking to SABC Sport, Mokoma expressed her gratitude for the SAFJA Awards, saying they play an important role in promoting and growing women’s football in the country.

“I feel very happy and honoured to be nominated. It means a lot to me because it shows that my hard work and effort on the field are being noticed. These awards are important because they give women’s football more recognition and motivate young girls to believe that they can also achieve their dreams through football and any other sports they are passionate about,” said Mokoma.

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The teenage striker played a key role in JVW’s impressive 2025 campaign, helping the side finish second in the Hollywoodbets Super League with 69 points from 30 matches. She says the team is determined to carry that momentum into the current season.

“Honestly, I feel very proud of the team and the work we have put in. Being top of the log shows that our hard work is paying off. We know we still have a long way to go, so we are taking every game seriously and working together to keep the momentum going. We want to finish the season strong,” added Mokoma.

Mokoma has also set her sights on reaching greater heights in her career, with winning a domestic trophy and securing an opportunity overseas among her ambitions.

“At this point, I just want to keep improving as a player and learn from every game and every experience. I want to one day lead my team to winning a domestic trophy. My ambition is to reach a higher level in football, make my family proud, and hopefully get a better opportunity, maybe overseas. I just want to keep working hard and see where football takes me in life,” she expressed.