CAF Awards 2026: Nigeria Suffer Major Snub as Osimhen, Lookman Miss Out

Posted : 06 November 2026

Nigeria’s growing absence from the continental football awards spotlight has come under scrutiny after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) unveiled its nominees for the 2026 CAF Awards without a single Nigerian entry in any of the seven men’s categories.

The announcement, made on Wednesday, November 4, saw some of Africa’s biggest football names make the shortlists, but Nigeria’s leading stars, including Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, were conspicuously missing.

Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle also failed to secure a nomination for Coach of the Year, while the national team and Nigerian clubs were equally overlooked.

The omissions represent a significant setback for Nigeria, a country with a rich history at the awards, particularly in the Men’s Player of the Year category.

Osimhen, Lookman Headline Nigerian Omissions

Osimhen, who plays for Galatasaray, and Lookman of Atlético Madrid were among the most prominent Nigerian players expected to attract attention in the individual awards.

However, neither forward made the Player of the Year shortlist, which features several established African stars, including Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Senegal’s Sadio Mané and Ghanaian forward Antoine Semenyo.

Chelle’s absence from the Coach of the Year nominations further compounded Nigeria’s disappointment, with Senegal’s Pape Thiaw, Morocco’s Walid Regragui and Mamelodi Sundowns’ Miguel Cardoso among the 10 shortlisted coaches.

The Super Eagles also failed to make the National Team of the Year shortlist, while no Nigerian club secured recognition in the Club of the Year category.

Nigeria was equally absent from the Goalkeeper of the Year, Interclub Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year nominations.

African Rivals Dominate Men's Nominations

CAF announced 10 nominees in each of the seven men's categories, with Morocco, Senegal and South Africa enjoying significant representation.

Among the notable names in the various categories are Yassine Bonou, Edouard Mendy and Ronwen Williams for Goalkeeper of the Year.

Teboho Mokoena, Khuliso Mudau and Ahmed Khaldi feature in the Interclub Player of the Year category, while Ibrahim Maza, Christian Kofane and Caleb Yirenkyi are among the Young Player of the Year nominees.

Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Ghana and South Africa are among the national teams shortlisted, while Mamelodi Sundowns, USM Alger, Zamalek and AS FAR feature in the Club of the Year category.

Super Falcons Lead Nigeria's Women's Representation

Although Nigeria failed to secure recognition in the men's categories, the country will have representatives in the women's awards.

The Super Falcons are nominated for Women’s National Team of the Year, while Edo Queens goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma is shortlisted for Goalkeeper of the Year.

Young Nigerian players Seimeyeha Janet Akekoromowei and Oluwakemi Adegbuyi also earned nominations, offering some consolation for the country's football community.

The 2026 CAF Awards ceremony is scheduled to hold on Monday, December 7, in Lagos, Nigeria.

Nigeria's absence from all seven men's categories, despite its representation in the women's nominations, highlights a disappointing outcome for the country's football stars. The omissions are likely to renew debate about Nigeria's diminishing presence in continental football recognition, particularly considering its previous dominance of the awards.

CAF Awards 2026: Nigeria Suffer Major Snub as Osimhen, Lookman Miss Out

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