CAF Awards: Osimhen, Lookman missing as Mané, Hakimi head player of the year nominees

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled nominees for the 2026 Men’s Player of the Year award, with Nigerian forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman conspicuously missing from the shortlist.

The omission of the two Super Eagles stars has raised eyebrows, considering their impressive performances for Nigeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, where the country finished third.

Lookman recorded three goals and four assists in six appearances for Nigeria during the tournament, earning a place in the AFCON Team of the Tournament.

Osimhen, meanwhile, emerged as Nigeria’s leading scorer at the competition, finishing with four goals and two assists.

Despite their contributions, neither player was included among the nominees announced by CAF on Wednesday.

Senegal and Morocco dominate the shortlist, with three players each nominated for the prestigious award.

Senegal’s nominees are Sadio Mané, Ismaïla Sarr and Pape Gueye, while Morocco is represented by Achraf Hakimi, Brahim Díaz and Ismaël Saibari.

Other players shortlisted for the award include Ivory Coast’s Amad Diallo, Democratic Republic of Congo’s Yoane Wissa, Ghana’s Antoine Semenyo and South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena.

The CAF Men’s Player of the Year award recognises outstanding individual performances by African footballers during the assessment period, with the winner expected to emerge from the list of nominees following the voting process.