CAF Unveils 2026 Men’s Player of the Year Shortlist, Omitting Nigeria’s Osimhen and Lookman
CAF announced a 12‑player shortlist for the 2026 Men’s Player of the Year award.
In Brief
- •CAF announced a 12‑player shortlist for the 2026 Men’s Player of the Year award.
- •Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman were not included despite strong AFCON 2025 performances.
- •Senegal and Morocco each have three nominees; Ivory Coast, DR Congo, Ghana and South Africa have one each.
Why It Matters
The CAF Player of the Year award is a key recognition for African footballers, influencing market value and career opportunities. Nigeria’s omission of its top scorers from the shortlist raises questions about selection criteria and may affect the visibility of African talent on the global stage.
Key Details
- Shortlist Size
- 12 nominees
- Senegal Nominees
- 3
- Morocco Nominees
- 3
- Nigeria Nominees
- 0
- AFCON 2025 Nigeria Finish
- Third place
- Osimhen AFCON Stats
- 4 goals, 2 assists
- Lookman AFCON Stats
- 3 goals, 4 assists
Context & Background
The CAF Player of the Year award, presented annually, highlights the continent’s top performers and is often used by clubs and agents to gauge a player’s market value.
Original Reporting & Sources
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