Nigeria excluded from CAF Awards 2026 men’s nominations despite hosting ceremony

Nigeria will host the 2026 CAF Awards but has no representative in any of the seven men’s categories, highlighting a disappointing omission for the country’s football stars.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Wednesday unveiled its nominees for the annual awards, with Morocco, Senegal and South Africa among the countries strongly represented across the shortlists.

Reigning African Player of the Year Achraf Hakimi leads the race for the men’s top individual honour, alongside former winner Sadio Mané, Ghana’s Antoine Semenyo and Morocco’s Brahim Diaz.

The 10-man shortlist also features Senegal’s Ismaila Sarr and Pape Gueye, Morocco’s Ismael Saibari, DR Congo’s Yoane Wissa, Ivory Coast’s Amad Diallo and South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena.

Nigeria, however, is conspicuously absent from the nominations, with no Nigerian player, coach, national team or club making the shortlist in any of the seven men’s categories.

The omission comes despite Nigeria being selected to host the awards ceremony in Lagos on December 7.

Former African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen and fellow Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman are among the high-profile absentees from the Player of the Year shortlist.

Osimhen, who won the award in 2023, and Lookman were part of Nigeria’s squad that finished third at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Lookman also impressed at the tournament, scoring three goals and providing four assists.

Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was also overlooked in the Goalkeeper of the Year category, while national team coach Eric Chelle failed to make the Coach of the Year shortlist.

Nigeria’s absence extends to the Young Player of the Year, Interclub Player of the Year, National Team of the Year and Club of the Year categories, leaving the country without a single nomination across the men’s awards.

The omissions come after a mixed year for Nigerian football, with the Super Eagles securing a third-place finish at AFCON but failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after losing to DR Congo in the African play-off final.

Morocco and Senegal dominate the nominations, with three players each in the Player of the Year race. South Africa, Ghana, Ivory Coast and DR Congo also have representatives.

Hakimi will seek to retain the award following another impressive season with Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco, while Mané will attempt to add to his previous successes.

The other men’s categories recognise achievements in goalkeeping, coaching, youth football, club competitions and national team performances.

TRT Afrika and agencies — TRT Afrika and agencies

Photo: CAFonline