Reigning African Player of the Year Achraf Hakimi will face stiff competition from former winner Sadio Mané, Ghana’s Antoine Semenyo and Morocco’s Brahim Diaz after CAF unveiled the nominees for the men’s categories of the 2026 CAF Awards.
The nominations, announced on Wednesday, 4 November, recognise Africa’s outstanding performers at club and international level, with the awards ceremony scheduled for 7 December in Lagos, Nigeria.
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Hakimi, who won the 2025 award, is seeking to retain his crown following another impressive campaign with Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco.
He faces competition from Senegal’s Mané, Pape Gueye and Ismaila Sarr, Ghana’s Semenyo, Morocco’s Diaz and Ismael Saibari, Côte d’Ivoire’s Amad Diallo, DR Congo’s Yoane Wissa and South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena.
Morocco and Senegal lead the representation, with three nominees each in the Player of the Year category.
Sundowns, Williams and Cardoso Lead African Club Representation
South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns feature prominently following their CAF Champions League triumph, with captain Ronwen Williams nominated for Goalkeeper of the Year, while Mokoena and Khuliso Mudau are shortlisted for Interclub Player of the Year.
Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso is also in contention for Coach of the Year after guiding the Brazilians to their second continental crown.
Other notable goalkeeper nominees include Morocco’s Yassine Bonou, Senegal’s Edouard Mendy, Algeria’s Oussama Benbot and Cabo Verde’s Vozinha.
In the Interclub Player category, Egypt’s Trezeguet, Morocco’s Mohamed Rabie Hrimat and Algeria’s Ahmed Khaldi are among the contenders.
Yirenkyi Headlines Young Player Nominations
Ghana’s Caleb Yirenkyi headlines the Young Player of the Year shortlist following an impressive breakthrough, which included a dramatic stoppage-time winner against Panama at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
He is joined by Algeria’s Ibrahim Maza, Cameroon’s Christian Kofane, Côte d’Ivoire’s Yan Diomande and Christ Inao, Egypt’s Hamza Abdelkarim, Mali’s Ismael Kamissoko, Morocco’s Abdellah Ouazane and Ayoub Bouaddi, and Senegal’s Ibrahim Mbaye.
World Cup Success Reflected in National Team Nominations
Morocco, Senegal, Ghana, Algeria, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, South Africa, Cabo Verde and Tunisia make up the National Team of the Year shortlist.
Morocco’s continued success on the global stage, alongside Cabo Verde’s historic World Cup debut, headlines the nominations.
In the Club of the Year category, CAF Champions League winners Mamelodi Sundowns face competition from USM Alger, Zamalek, AS FAR, RS Berkane, Olympic Safi, CR Belouizdad, AS Maniema, Al Hilal and Espérance Sportive de Tunis.
The seven men’s categories each feature ten nominees, with the awards set to celebrate another year of achievements in African football.
The 2026 CAF Awards will take place in Lagos on Monday, 7 December.
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