The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced on Tuesday that the 2026 African Player of the Year Awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday, December 2, in Lagos, Nigeria. This marks the first time the event has returned to the city since 2014.
The Wole Soyinka Centre for Arts and Culture, also known as the National Theatre, will host the awards. The awards feature 18 categories, with the most important being the African Player of the Year for men and women, in addition to Best Coach, Best Goalkeeper, Best Young Player, Best Club, and Best National Team awards.
CAF stated that the voting process has begun and will continue from November 5 to 20. Member associations and clubs, as well as eligible coaches and captains, will participate. CAF emphasized its desire to ensure fairness and transparency in the results by involving various stakeholders and introducing independent oversight.
Salah absent, Moroccan players dominate
Moroccan players hold a clear advantage in the shortlist for the 2026 African Player of the Year award. Paris Saint-Germain star Hakimi, Real Madrid winger Brahim, and Bayern Munich forward Ismael Saibari are all on the list, while Trabzonspor star Salah is not.
Trézéguet and Shehata vie for African Player of the Year
The African Player of the Year award list also features several Arab players, most notably Egypt's Mahmoud Hassan Trézéguet, who previously played for Al Ahly and now plays for Saudi Al-Riyadh, and Zamalek midfielder Mohamed Shehata. Also nominated are Morocco's Mohamed Rabie Hrimat, who previously played for AS FAR and is currently with Qatar's Al-Shamal, Morocco's Mounir Chouiar, and RS Berkane's Soufiane El Moudane.
Therefore, African football fans are eagerly anticipating the awards ceremony in Lagos in December. The competition for individual and team awards is fierce, with a clear presence of Arab players across several categories, while Salah's omission remains the biggest surprise on this nomination list.
Maubcptuyz
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You must mention the name for the CAF President,it’s important pple know that!
tubemrtuz
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Hakimi for sure. I mean the guy is exceptionally good.
Makacdnsty
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what about Messi
hoebdelmru
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semenyo collectively was 👍 good
AsasiiraLUCKYSTAR078
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how about Diamonde from Real madrid
BudsNow420
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My fellow football fans, let's settle this! Hakimi, Brahim or Saibari? Who gets your vote?
BudsNow420
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Who has had the most impressive individual performances this year? Let's debate without fighting! 😂🔥
BudsNow420
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Be honest, football fans: Is Hakimi clearly ahead of the competition, or can Brahim and Saibari surprise everyone?
BudsNow420
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No easy decision here! All three have something special. But only one can take the crown. Who is your winner?
BudsNow420
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This is going to be an interesting battle! 👀🏆 Hakimi's experience, Brahim's creativity and Saibari's quality. Who are you choosing?
BudsNow420
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Africa is blessed with incredible football talents! Hakimi, Brahim and Saibari are all deserving candidates. But who truly deserves the crown? Drop your opinion and like if you agree!
BudsNow420
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WasswaIbrahim97
2
who else its hakimi, a monster right back
Titcdklnoz
1
Hakimi must scoop it
yeeceprtz
1
Hakimi will collect it PSG is still on fire for 2 consecutive years.