Achraf Hakimi will face competition from Sadio Mané, Antoine Semenyo and Brahim Diaz as he bids to retain his African Player of the Year crown at the CAF Awards 2026.
CAF announced the men’s nominees on Wednesday, following the release of the women’s nominations on Tuesday.
Hakimi, who won the award in 2025, is one of three Moroccan players shortlisted, alongside Diaz and Ismael Saibari. Morocco reached the World Cup quarter-finals for a second successive tournament this year.
Senegal also has three contenders, with Mané joined by Ismaila Sarr and Pape Gueye. Manchester United’s Amad Diallo, DR Congo forward Yoane Wissa and South Africa midfielder Teboho Mokoena complete the ten-player field alongside Semenyo.
CAF has announced ten nominees in each of seven men’s categories, recognising players, goalkeepers, coaches, emerging talent, national teams and clubs.
Cameroon’s champions lead women’s challenge
Cameroon’s first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title has earned Marie Ngah Manga, Michaely Bihina and Monique Ngock places on the Women’s Player of the Year shortlist.
Ngock was named the tournament’s best player, while Bihina collected the best goalkeeper award. Manga scored twice as Cameroon beat Malawi 3–0 in the final.
Malawi sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga are also nominated after helping their country reach its first continental final. Temwa finished as the tournament’s leading scorer with five goals.
Former winner Barbra Banda joins Thembi Kgatlana, Marine Dafeur, Portia Boakye and Hanan Ait El Haj among the contenders.
Nigerian hopes on home soil
Nigeria’s Christiana Uzoma is nominated for Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year, while Seimeyeha Janet Akekoromowei and Oluwakemi Adegbuyi are shortlisted for the young player award.
The Super Falcons are also in contention for Women’s National Team of the Year.
Nominees for the women’s coach, club and interclub player awards will be confirmed after the CAF Women’s Champions League in Egypt.
The winners will be revealed in Lagos, Nigeria, on Monday, 7 December.
