Morocco and Senegal will provide the strongest challenges for the 2026 African Player of the Year award, with six of the 10 nominees coming from the two countries ahead of the CAF Awards ceremony in Lagos on 7 December.
Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi is among the leading contenders as he seeks to claim the individual honour for a second time in his career. However, the Paris Saint-Germain defender faces competition from two compatriots and three Senegalese players in a shortlist dominated by the two national teams.
The nominees were announced by the African Union through its website and official social media platforms, setting up an intriguing contest between players from countries whose football rivalry has attracted considerable attention.
Hakimi will be joined on the list by Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz and Bayern Munich star Ismail Saibari, giving Morocco three representatives in the competition.
The PSG defender is considered one of the strongest candidates following his performances for club and country. He played a significant role in Morocco’s campaign at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, where the Atlas Lions reached the quarter-finals.
His achievements at club level have also strengthened his position in the race. Hakimi helped Paris Saint-Germain secure the Champions League title for a second consecutive season, adding to his growing reputation as one of Africa’s leading footballers.
Those accomplishments could put him in a strong position to collect the award again, although the presence of several other high-profile nominees means the outcome is far from certain.
Senegal, meanwhile, will also have three representatives as it looks to challenge Morocco’s influence in the individual award.
Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr, Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye and Al-Nassr captain Sadio Mane have all been included in the shortlist.
Their nominations add another dimension to the competition, particularly given the ongoing dispute between Senegal and Morocco over the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title.
The disagreement has kept the two countries in the spotlight following the controversy surrounding their meeting in the final of the continental tournament. Their presence at the centre of the award race now provides another point of interest in the rivalry between the two football nations.
Beyond the Moroccan and Senegalese representatives, four other players have been selected for the award.
Ivory Coast international Amad Diallo, who plays for Manchester United, is among the nominees, alongside Democratic Republic of Congo forward Yoane Wissa of Newcastle United.
Ghana is represented by Antoine Simeone of Manchester City, while South African midfielder Teboho Mokoena has also earned a place on the list following his performances for Mamelodi Sundowns.
Mokoena’s inclusion is particularly notable because the award has frequently been contested by players based outside Africa in recent years. His nomination provides a representative of African club football in a field featuring several players attached to major European sides.
The 10 nominees will now compete for one of the continent’s most prestigious individual honours, with the winner due to be announced in Lagos on 7 December.
While Hakimi’s club and international achievements make him a prominent contender, Morocco’s three nominations and Senegal’s equally strong representation ensure that the contest will attract considerable attention. The outcome will determine whether the award goes to one of the two countries or another nominee from the wider shortlist.
