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Ghanaian international Antoine Semenyo has been nominated for the 2026 CAF Men’s Player of the Year award, joining nine other African football stars competing for the continent’s most prestigious individual football honour.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced the shortlist on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, recognising players who delivered outstanding performances for their clubs and national teams.
The 26-year-old Manchester City forward will compete against established stars, including defending champion Achraf Hakimi, Senegal’s Sadio Mané and Ivory Coast’s Amad Diallo.
The winner will be announced at the CAF Awards ceremony scheduled for December 7, 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria.
Semenyo’s nomination follows an important period in his football career, during which he established himself as one of Ghana’s leading attacking players.
The forward joined Manchester City from AFC Bournemouth in January 2026, marking a major step in his Premier League career.
His performances in English football and contributions to Ghana’s national team helped secure his place among Africa’s leading players.
Since moving to Manchester City, Semenyo has continued developing his attacking abilities while competing at the highest level of English football.
His pace, physical strength and ability to operate across attacking positions have made him an important option for both club and country.
The nomination represents another milestone for the Ghanaian international as he seeks to establish himself among Africa’s best footballers.
Winning the award will be a significant challenge for Semenyo, given the quality of players included in the shortlist.
Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi enters the competition as the reigning CAF Men’s Player of the Year.
The Paris Saint-Germain star won the 2025 award and is seeking to retain his title following another strong year for club and country.
Senegalese forward Sadio Mané is also among the nominees.
The former Liverpool and Bayern Munich attacker, now playing for Al-Nassr, has previously won the prestigious award and remains one of Africa’s most recognised footballers.
Manchester United winger Amad Diallo is another contender following his performances for Ivory Coast and his club.
Morocco’s Brahim Díaz and Ismael Saibari, alongside Senegal’s Ismaila Sarr and Pape Gueye, are also competing for the honour.
CAF has confirmed the following ten players:
Morocco and Senegal dominate the shortlist with three players each.
Ghana, Ivory Coast, DR Congo and South Africa have one representative each.
The nominations reflect performances across domestic leagues, international competitions and major continental tournaments.
Semenyo also represented Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
His involvement with the Black Stars contributed to a year in which Ghanaian players received increased recognition across CAF’s award categories.
CAF acknowledged Semenyo’s development in English football and his performances for the national team when announcing the nominations.
His inclusion places him among an elite group of African players who have made significant contributions during the year under review.
For Ghanaian football supporters, the nomination offers an opportunity to celebrate the forward’s progress at international level.
Semenyo is not the only Ghanaian footballer recognised in the 2026 CAF Awards.
Midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi has also been shortlisted for the Men’s Young Player of the Year award.
The Ghanaian midfielder enjoyed an impressive period with Danish club FC Nordsjælland before securing a move to English side Coventry City in August 2026.
Yirenkyi also attracted attention for his performances with Ghana at the 2026 World Cup.
His nomination recognises his emergence as one of Africa’s promising young midfielders.
The young Ghanaian faces competition from several emerging talents, including Algeria’s Ibrahim Maza, Cameroon’s Christian Kofane and Senegal’s Ibrahim Mbaye.
Ghana’s senior men’s national team has also been nominated for the 2026 CAF Men’s National Team of the Year award.
The Black Stars are competing against Algeria, Cabo Verde, Ivory Coast, DR Congo, Egypt, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia.
The nomination follows Ghana’s participation in the 2026 World Cup, where the team reached the knockout stage.
Ghana’s inclusion in multiple categories highlights the country’s representation at this year’s CAF Awards.
The nominations also include recognition for Ghanaian women’s football, with the Black Queens among the contenders for Women’s National Team of the Year.
One of the notable developments in the nominations is the absence of Nigerian stars Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.
Osimhen, who won the CAF Men’s Player of the Year award in 2023, did not make the final ten-man shortlist.
Lookman, the 2024 winner, was also excluded.
Their absence means Nigeria has no representative in the 2026 Men’s Player of the Year category.
The development has attracted attention because both players have previously enjoyed major success in African football.
Meanwhile, Morocco and Senegal have emerged as the most strongly represented countries in the individual category.
The 2026 CAF Awards ceremony will take place in Lagos, Nigeria, on Monday, December 7.
The event will recognise outstanding African footballers, coaches, clubs and national teams for their performances during the year.
Other award categories include Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year, Men’s Coach of the Year, Men’s Young Player of the Year and Men’s Interclub Player of the Year.
Semenyo will be hoping to overcome competition from some of Africa’s biggest football stars and claim his first CAF Men’s Player of the Year award.
For Ghana, his nomination, alongside those of Caleb Yirenkyi and the Black Stars, provides another opportunity for the country to gain recognition on the continental football stage.
The final winners will be revealed at the December ceremony.
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