The competition to succeed the continent's greatest talents has officially begun. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has recently revealed the much-anticipated list of players nominated for the prestigious Young Player of the Year award at the CAF Awards 2026. This award celebrates the cream of emerging youth in African football, who stand out both on the continental stage and within the top European leagues.
This high-level selection reflects the vitality and incredible wealth of talent that Africa possesses. Among the contenders for this major individual accolade are young prodigies who shine brightly in the colors of their national teams and renowned clubs. The competition promises to be particularly intense as these young hopes carry the expectations of an entire continent.
The announcement of this list heightens the excitement as the grand award ceremony approaches, where the name of the winner will be revealed. While awaiting the final verdict, discover below all the talents in the running to succeed in the rankings.
Nominees List – Young Player of the Year (CAF Awards 2026)
Ibrahim Maza (Algeria)
Christian Kofane (Cameroon)
Christ Inao (Ivory Coast)
Yan Diomandé (Ivory Coast)
Hamza Abdelkarim (Egypt)
Caleb Yirenkyi (Ghana)
Ismaël Kamissoko (Mali)
Abdellah Ouazane (Morocco)
Ayoub Bouaddi (Morocco)
Ibrahim Mbaye (Senegal)
