Cameroon’s three players from their historic Women’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph are among the 10 nominees for the 2026 African Women’s Player of the Year award.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced the shortlist on Tuesday 3 November, with Cameroon represented by Marie Ngah Manga, Michaely Bihina and Monique Ngock.
The Indomitable Lionesses won the first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in their history after beating Malawi 3-0 in the final at Rabat on 16 August.
Ngah Manga scored twice in the final and finished as the tournament’s leading scorer with five goals, level with Malawi’s Temwa Chawinga and Zambia’s Barbra Banda.
Goalkeeper Bihina was also nominated for the African Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award after playing a decisive role in Cameroon’s run. She made nine saves against Nigeria in the quarter-finals before stopping a penalty and three shots in the shootout against Morocco in the semi-finals. Bihina was subsequently awarded the tournament’s Golden Glove.
Midfielder Ngock was named the best player of the competition.
Algeria’s Marine Dafeur and Hanane Ait El Haj of Morocco complete the north African representation on the shortlist. Both were included in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 team of the tournament.
Dafeur scored twice, including a superb direct free-kick against Kenya, and supplied two assists as Algeria secured a historic third-place finish and qualification for the 2027 World Cup.
Ait El Haj, the Morocco captain and right-back, was the tournament’s leading assist provider with five. She was also named player of the match in Morocco’s 4-0 opening victory over Kenya.
Morocco’s star player and defending award winner Ghizlane Chebbak was not included among the 10 nominees after a subdued tournament. Her omission is likely to increase questions over whether she will be included on the shortlist for the FIFPRO World 11.
Barcelona prospect Kautar Azraf, who impressed during the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, will instead compete for the Young Player of the Year award.
Malawi’s sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga are also among the leading names. Tabitha scored four goals, while Temwa made a greater impact with five goals and two assists as Malawi reached the final in their first appearance at the tournament.
Temwa, who finished 10th in the France Football women’s Ballon d’Or, was also named MVP and the NWSL’s leading scorer with Kansas City Current.
Banda, the 2024 winner, scored five times in Morocco, including four goals in Zambia’s 6-0 victory over Egypt.
South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana, the 2018 winner, and Ghana’s Portia Boakye complete the nominees.
The winner will be announced at the CAF Awards ceremony in Lagos, Nigeria, on 7 December. CAF will announce the three finalists before the event.
