CAF Awards: No Nigerian As Yirenkyi, Maza Lead Young Player Shortlist

Nigeria have been left out of the 10-man shortlist for the Men’s Young Player of the Year award at the CAF Awards 2026, with Ghana’s Caleb Yirenkyi, Algeria’s Ibrahim Maza and several emerging African talents making the final nominations.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) unveiled the nominees ahead of the awards ceremony scheduled for Lagos, Nigeria, on 7 December.

The absence of Nigerian players is a setback for the country’s representation in the category, which recognises young footballers who have made significant impacts at club and international levels during the year.

Ghana midfielder Yirenkyi is among the leading contenders following his impressive breakthrough at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner against Panama in the Black Stars’ opening match.

His impressive performances at the tournament attracted further attention, culminating in a move from Danish side FC Nordsjælland to English Championship club Coventry City.

Algeria’s Maza and Cameroon’s Christian Kofane, both of Bayer Leverkusen, also earned nominations after establishing themselves as exciting prospects in European football.

Côte d’Ivoire have two representatives in Christ Inao, who plays for Fiorentina, and Yan Diomande of Real Madrid, while Egypt’s Hamza Abdelkarim, who features for Barcelona, also makes the list.

Morocco are equally represented by Abdellah Ouazane of Ajax and Ayoub Bouaddi of Manchester City, underlining the country’s growing production of young football talents.

Mali’s Ismael Kamissoko of Etoiles Mandé and Senegal’s Ibrahim Mbaye of Aston Villa complete the 10-man shortlist.

The nominations reflect the growing presence of African youngsters in Europe’s leading football leagues, with several of the shortlisted players having enjoyed breakthrough campaigns on the international stage.

The Young Player of the Year award is among the men’s categories to be presented at the 2026 CAF Awards, which will bring together Africa’s leading football personalities in Lagos.

CAF MEN’S YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

Ibrahim Maza (Algeria/Bayer Leverkusen)

Christian Kofane (Cameroon/Bayer Leverkusen)

Christ Inao (Côte d’Ivoire/Fiorentina)

Yan Diomande (Côte d’Ivoire/Real Madrid)

Hamza Abdelkarim (Egypt/Barcelona)

Caleb Yirenkyi (Ghana/Coventry City)

Ismael Kamissoko (Mali/Etoiles Mandé)

Abdellah Ouazane (Morocco/Ajax)

Ayoub Bouaddi (Morocco/Manchester City)

Ibrahim Mbaye (Senegal/Aston Villa)