Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo has been named among 10 nominees for the 2026 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Men’s Player of the Year award following an impressive season with Manchester City and the Black Stars.
The 26-year-old has earned recognition after an outstanding 2025/26 campaign in which he made a significant impact in English football and helped Ghana reach the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
Semenyo’s nomination marks another important milestone in his career as he competes for one of African football’s most prestigious individual honours against some of the continent’s leading players.
His rise to prominence gathered momentum during the first half of last season at AFC Bournemouth, where his performances attracted attention before he secured a move to Manchester City in the January 2026 transfer window.
The Ghanaian forward adapted quickly to life at the Etihad Stadium, scoring 13 goals in 35 appearances in all competitions during his debut campaign with the Premier League champions.
One of his most significant contributions came in the FA Cup final, where he scored the decisive goal to give Manchester City the trophy.
His performances throughout the season also earned him selection in the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Premier League Team of the Year. The achievement made him the first Ghanaian footballer to be included in the prestigious team.
Semenyo’s influence was not limited to club football, with the forward also playing an important part in Ghana’s campaign at the 2026 World Cup.
The Black Stars progressed to the knockout stages of the competition for the first time since 2010, with Semenyo producing a series of influential performances during the tournament.
His contribution to both club and country has now been recognised through his inclusion on CAF’s 10-man shortlist.
However, the Manchester City forward faces considerable competition, with several established African internationals also in contention for the award.
Among those nominated are Ivory Coast’s Amad Diallo, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Ismael Saibari and Brahim Diaz, and Democratic Republic of Congo striker Yoane Wissa.
South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena is also included, alongside three Senegalese players: Ismaila Sarr, Pape Gueye and former winner Sadio Mané.
The winner will be revealed at the 2026 CAF Awards ceremony, scheduled for 7 December. The event will celebrate outstanding achievements by players, coaches and teams across African football.
Despite currently recovering from injury, Semenyo has continued to demonstrate his attacking quality in the opening stages of the 2026/27 season.
He has registered two goals and three assists in eight appearances for Manchester City across all competitions, providing an encouraging start to the new campaign.
His latest nomination further strengthens his growing standing among Africa’s leading attacking players and raises hopes that Ghana could once again have a winner of the continent’s top individual football award.
The country has been waiting for another recipient since Abedi Pele became the last Ghanaian to win the CAF Men’s Player of the Year honour.
Semenyo’s inclusion among this year’s contenders therefore represents an opportunity for Ghana to end that wait, while recognising the forward’s rapid progress at the highest level of the game.
