The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released its 10-man shortlist for the 2026 Men’s Player of the Year award, with no Nigerian player making the list.
The nominees include players from across the continent, with Morocco and Senegal having the strongest representation. The two nations met in the 2025 AFCON final in Morocco, where Senegal initially won the title before CAF stripped them of it, citing breaches of its regulations after the team walked off the pitch in protest against the officiating.
Ivory Coast’s Amad Diallo, DR Congo’s Yoane Wissa and Ghana’s Antoine Semenyo are among the nominees.
Morocco is represented by Ismaël Saibari, Achraf Hakimi and Brahim DÃaz, while Senegal has three players on the list: Ismaïla Sarr, Pape Gueye and Sadio Mané.
South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena completes the shortlist.
Victor Osimhen was among the 10 nominees in the previous edition after winning the award in 2023. However, the Galatasaray forward has been left out this time, despite Nigeria finishing third at the 2025 AFCON and scoring 22 goals in 33 appearances across all competitions, alongside two major trophies.
The 2026 CAF Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Lagos, Nigeria, on December 7.
