Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen and other Nigerian footballers have been omitted from the 10-man shortlist for the 2026 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Men’s Player of the Year award.
CAF announced the nominees on Wednesday, with Senegal, Morocco and Ivory Coast leading the representation.
The shortlist features Senegal’s Sadio Mané, Ismaila Sarr and Pape Gueye; Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Brahim Díaz and Ismael Saibari; Ivory Coast’s Amad Diallo; Ghana’s Antoine Semenyo; DR Congo’s Yoane Wissa; and South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena.
Nigeria’s absence comes despite the Super Eagles’ third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The country also failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after losing to DR Congo in the African play-off final in November 2025. The encounter ended 1-1 after extra time, with DR Congo winning 4-3 on penalties.
The announcement followed reports that no Nigerian player made the shortlist for the Women’s Player of the Year award, although the Super Falcons secured a nomination in the Women’s National Team of the Year category.
Other men’s categories announced by CAF include Young Player, Goalkeeper, National Team, Club and Coach of the Year.
The Young Player shortlist includes Ibrahim Maza, Christian Kofane, Yan Diomande, Caleb Yirenkyi, Abdellah Ouazane, Ayoub Bouaddi and Ibrahim Mbaye, among others.
Goalkeeper nominees include Édouard Mendy, Ronwen Williams, Yassine Bounou, Yahia Fofana and Mostafa Shobeir.
Ten countries, including Algeria, Morocco, Senegal, Ghana and South Africa, are nominated for Men’s National Team of the Year.
The Club of the Year shortlist features Mamelodi Sundowns, Zamalek, RS Berkane, Al Hilal and ES Tunis, among others.
The Coach of the Year category includes Sébastien Desabre, Walid Regragui, Pape Thiaw and Miguel Cardoso.
The 2026 CAF Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Lagos on December 7.
