Nigeria has been completely overlooked in the men’s nominations for the 2026 CAF Awards, with Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Super Eagles coach Éric Chelle among the notable absentees.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) unveiled its nominees across seven men’s categories on Wednesday, November 4, but no Nigerian player, coach, club or national team featured on any of the shortlists.
The omission represents a major disappointment for Nigerian football, particularly after the country’s established internationals and coaching staff featured prominently in recent continental campaigns.
Osimhen and Lookman headline notable omissions
Osimhen, who represents Galatasaray, and Lookman, now at Atlético Madrid, were both overlooked for the Men’s Player of the Year award despite their standing among Africa’s leading international forwards.
Their absence is particularly significant given their contributions to Nigerian football and their performances at the highest levels of European and international competition.
Chelle also missed out on the Coach of the Year shortlist, which features ten nominees, including Senegal’s Pape Thiaw, Morocco’s Walid Regragui and Miguel Cardoso of Mamelodi Sundowns.
Nigeria’s absence extends beyond the individual awards. The Super Eagles were not nominated for Men’s National Team of the Year, while no Nigerian club was included in the Club of the Year category.
There was also no Nigerian representation in the Goalkeeper of the Year, Interclub Player of the Year or Young Player of the Year categories.
Seven men’s categories, no Nigerian representation
CAF released ten nominees in each of the seven men’s categories:
Player of the Year: Achraf Hakimi, Sadio Mané, Antoine Semenyo, Brahim Diaz and seven others.
Goalkeeper of the Year: Yassine Bonou, Edouard Mendy, Ronwen Williams and seven others.
Interclub Player of the Year: Teboho Mokoena, Khuliso Mudau, Ahmed Khaldi and seven others.
Coach of the Year: Pape Thiaw, Walid Regragui, Miguel Cardoso and seven others.
Young Player of the Year: Ibrahim Maza, Christian Kofane, Caleb Yirenkyi and seven others.
National Team of the Year: Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Ghana, South Africa and five others.
Club of the Year: Mamelodi Sundowns, USM Alger, Zamalek, AS FAR and six others.
Morocco, Senegal and South Africa emerged among the best-represented countries, reflecting their achievements in continental and international competitions.
Nigeria still represented in women’s categories
Despite the complete absence from the men’s shortlists, Nigeria retains representation in the women’s awards.
Edo Queens goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma, young players Seimeyeha Janet Akekoromowei and Oluwakemi Adegbuyi, and the Super Falcons have all secured nominations.
The Super Falcons are shortlisted for Women’s National Team of the Year, while Uzoma is nominated for Goalkeeper of the Year.
The 2026 CAF Awards ceremony is scheduled for Monday, December 7, in Lagos, Nigeria, bringing together the continent’s leading footballers, coaches, clubs and administrators.
For Nigerian football, however, the absence of its leading men’s stars from all seven categories will raise questions about the country’s declining visibility in CAF’s individual and team recognition, an award once dominated by Nigerians.
