Nigeria will have no representative in the race for the 2026 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Men’s Young Player of the Year award after the continental body unveiled its 10-man shortlist on Wednesday.
The list features players from eight countries, with Côte d’Ivoire and Morocco providing two nominees each.
Algeria’s Ibrahim Maza, Cameroon’s Christian Kofane, Côte d’Ivoire’s Christ Inao and Yan Diomande, Egypt’s Hamza Abdelkarim, Ghana’s Caleb Yirenkyi, Mali’s Ismaël Kamissoko, Morocco’s Abdellah Ouazane and Ayoub Bouaddi, and Senegal’s Ibrahim Mbaye complete the shortlist.
The nominations bring together young players who have attracted attention through their performances for club and country, with several already establishing themselves in European football.
Nigeria’s absence from the men’s category is particularly notable given the country’s history of producing young talents who have gone on to make their mark in African and international football.
However, the country will still have a presence at this year’s awards through its women’s representatives.
Edo Queens goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma is nominated for Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year, while Seimeyeha Janet Akekoromowei and Oluwakemi Adegbuyi are shortlisted for Women’s Young Player of the Year.
The Super Falcons have also earned a nomination for Women’s National Team of the Year, giving Nigeria four entries across three women’s categories.
Their nomination comes despite losing the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title to Cameroon, whose players feature prominently in several individual award categories.
The contrasting fortunes of the men’s and women’s nominations offer Nigeria an opportunity to celebrate its emerging female talents, even as the absence of a male contender raises questions about the country’s representation among Africa’s next generation of football stars.
The 2026 CAF Awards ceremony will take place in Lagos on Monday, December 7, with winners across the various categories to be announced at the event.
