Beninese teenage striker Romaine Gandonou has been nominated for the 2026 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Women’s Young Player of the Year award following an outstanding season in which she has emerged as one of the continent’s most prolific young talents.
The 15-year-old is among 10 players shortlisted for the individual honour after producing impressive scoring numbers for both club and country.
Gandonou’s nomination is a significant recognition of her performances in 2026 and places Benin in the spotlight at this year’s continental awards.
The young forward has enjoyed a remarkable campaign across several competitions, finishing as the leading scorer in the African qualifying tournaments for both the Under-17 and Under-20 Women’s World Cups.
She scored 11 goals in six matches during the Under-17 qualifiers before adding another 14 goals in six appearances in the Under-20 qualifying competition.
Her scoring record has also been impressive in domestic football. Gandonou finished as the top scorer in Benin’s Women’s First Division after finding the net 25 times in just 10 matches.
She continued her contribution on the international stage during the qualifiers for the 2028 Olympic Games, scoring four goals in two matches for Benin.
At the Under-20 Women’s World Cup, the teenager registered three goals in three appearances and also received the tournament’s Best Goal award.
Those performances have helped establish Gandonou as one of the emerging names in African women’s football, with her CAF nomination providing further recognition of her progress.
She will, however, face competition from nine other players for the award.
Nigeria have two representatives in the category, with forwards Janet Akekoromowei and Oluwakemi Adegbuyi included on the 10-player shortlist.
Senegal’s Adji Ndiaye is also among the nominees, with the goalkeeper in contention for two awards: Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year and Women’s Young Player of the Year. Ndiaye was also selected for last year’s awards.
Other shortlisted players include Maéva Nyadjou, Grace-Ruth Sery, N’Sira Ouédraogo, Rose Kadzere, Fautina Azraf and Winfrida Gerald.
The wider women’s categories also feature strong representation from across the continent.
Cameroon’s Marie Ngah Manga, Michaely Bihina and Monique Ngock have been nominated for the Women’s Player of the Year award.
Ghana’s Black Queens are also in contention for the Women’s National Team of the Year prize, while goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan has been shortlisted for Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year.
The nominations reflect the growing representation of African women’s footballers across the continent’s leading individual and team awards.
