Nigeria Shut Out of CAF Men’s Young Player Award Race

Nigeria has been left out of the race for the 2026 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Men’s Young Player of the Year award after the continental body unveiled its 10-man shortlist.

The list, released on Wednesday, features young footballers from eight African countries, with no Nigerian player making the final nominations.

Côte d’Ivoire and Morocco have two nominees each, while Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Mali and Senegal are represented by one player apiece.

The shortlisted players are Algeria’s Ibrahim Maza, Cameroon’s Christian Kofane, Côte d’Ivoire’s Christ Inao and Yan Diomande, Egypt’s Hamza Abdelkarim, Ghana’s Caleb Yirenkyi, Mali’s Ismaël Kamissoko, Morocco’s Abdellah Ouazane and Ayoub Bouaddi, and Senegal’s Ibrahim Mbaye.

CAF said the nominees earned their places following impressive performances for their clubs and national teams, with several already making an impact in European football.

Nigeria’s absence from the category is a major talking point given the country’s rich history of producing young football talents who have gone on to excel on the African continent and beyond.

Despite the setback in the men’s category, Nigeria will still have a strong presence in the women’s awards.

Edo Queens goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma has been nominated for the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award, while Seimeyeha Janet Akekoromowei and Oluwakemi Adegbuyi are in the running for the Women’s Young Player of the Year prize.

The Super Falcons have also secured a nomination for the Women’s National Team of the Year award, giving Nigeria four nominations across three women’s categories.

The women’s nominations provide some consolation for Nigeria as the country continues to celebrate its emerging female stars despite missing out on the men’s young player shortlist.

The 2026 CAF Awards ceremony will be held in Lagos on Monday, December 7, where winners in all categories will be announced.