The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced its 10 nominees for the 2026 African Player of the Year award, with the omission of Ibrahim Maza and Yan Diomande likely to prompt the biggest debate.
Three Moroccan players and three Senegalese players feature on a shortlist that also includes representatives of Manchester United, Brentford and Mamelodi Sundowns. The nominees are Achraf Hakimi, Brahim Diaz, Ismael Saibari, Sadio Mane, Ismaila Sarr, Pape Gueye, Amad Diallo, Yoane Wissa, Antoine Semenyo and Teboho Mokoena.
Hakimi, who won the award in 2025 ahead of Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen, has a strong case to retain the prize. His performances for Paris Saint-Germain, combined with Morocco’s progress at the World Cup, have placed him among the leading contenders once again.
A second successive victory would make Hakimi the first player to retain the award since Mohamed Salah in 2018. It would also make him the first Moroccan to win the honour twice.
Hakimi is joined by fellow Morocco internationals Saibari and Brahim Diaz. Saibari has enjoyed a particularly impressive year, while the inclusion of Diaz completes the country’s strong presence among the nominees.
Senegal’s three candidates could, however, divide support for the nation’s players. Mane remains the most prominent name, while Ismaila Sarr made a major contribution to Crystal Palace’s successful year in the UEFA Conference League. Pape Gueye also played an important role in Senegal’s strong campaign.
That could work in Hakimi’s favour, as the Morocco captain appears to be the clearest individual candidate from his country.
The absence of Maza and Diomande is especially notable given that both have been nominated for the African Young Player of the Year award. Maza established himself at Bayer Leverkusen and with Algeria, while Diomande made a significant step forward at RB Leipzig, Real Madrid and with the Ivory Coast national team.
Diomande also became the most expensive African player in history during the summer transfer window. Their youth does not diminish the quality of their performances, and neither age nor inexperience should be treated as either an advantage or a limitation. Maza finished ninth in the 2026 Kopa Trophy, with Diomande fifth.
The selection of Amad Diallo, whose influence at Manchester United has continued to grow, may be questioned in comparison with Diomande. The nominations for Wissa and, in particular, Mokoena are also open to debate. The South Africa midfielder remains one of the continent’s leading players at Mamelodi Sundowns, although his individual year appears less significant than that of several players left out.
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha could also have expected recognition after helping his country to a historic campaign. CAF selected only outfield players, meaning Cape Verde has no representative despite its exceptional year.
The list will eventually be reduced to three finalists before the CAF Awards ceremony takes place on 7 December in Lagos, Nigeria. The first selection has already created notable winners and losers.
