Why the 2026 CAF Men’s Player of the Year Shortlist Doesn't Include Osimhen or Lookman.

How does Nigeria host the biggest night in African football and still have no man in the race? That is the question fans are asking after CAF released its 2026 shortlists on Wednesday, 4 November.

Not a single Nigerian made the Men’s Player of the Year list, and Victor Osimhen is among the big names left out. The ceremony itself will take place in Lagos on Monday, 7 December 2026.

The 10 Players on the Shortlist

Here are the nominees for CAF Men’s Player of the Year 2026:

• Morocco: Achraf Hakimi, Brahim Díaz and Ismaël Saibari

• Senegal: Sadio Mané, Ismaïla Sarr and Pape Gueye

• Ivory Coast: Amad Diallo

• DR Congo: Yoane Wissa

• Ghana: Antoine Semenyo

• South Africa: Teboho Mokoena

Notably, Morocco and Senegal supply six of the ten names. Hakimi is also the reigning winner, so he returns as the man to beat.

Who Is Missing?

The biggest headline is the absence of Osimhen and Ademola Lookman. Both were left off the list, even though each has won the award before: Osimhen in 2023 and Lookman in 2024.

However, they are not the only surprise. Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, a two-time winner, was also left out, and Goal called that the biggest shock of the list.

Nigeria Is Missing Everywhere on the Men’s Side

This is not only about one award. Nigeria is absent from the men’s categories reported so far:

• Young Player of the Year: none of the ten nominees is Nigerian.

• Coach of the Year: Eric Chelle did not make the list.

• National Team of the Year: Nigeria is not among the ten nominated teams.

In other words, the Super Eagles are shut out of the men’s awards, at least in the lists that have been published.

Why Are Fans Surprised?

Because both players were central to Nigeria’s run at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where the Super Eagles finished third. Lookman scored three goals and set up four more in six appearances, and he made the Team of the Tournament. Osimhen was Nigeria’s top scorer with four goals and two assists.

That said, CAF has not explained why the Nigerians were left out, and the reports do not give a reason. Therefore, anything beyond that is guesswork. One piece of context is that Nigeria later missed the 2026 World Cup, losing a play-off final to DR Congo on penalties. Whether that played any part is not confirmed.

A Look Back at Recent Winners

The omission feels sharper because of recent history. Osimhen won the award in 2023 and Lookman followed in 2024, so Nigerian players have been central to the conversation in recent years. Hakimi then took the title in 2025, so he arrives in December as the defending champion, with a mostly Moroccan and Senegalese field chasing him.

So far, the reports quote no official reaction from CAF or from the players. Therefore, the biggest reaction so far has come from fans, who were surprised that two AFCON standouts did not make the cut.

A Small Win on the Women’s Side

Nigeria’s women did better. No Super Falcons player made the Women’s Player of the Year list, but the team is nominated for Women’s National Team of the Year. Christiana Uzoma is up for Goalkeeper of the Year, while Janet Akekoromowei and Oluwakemi Adegbuyi are on the Young Player shortlist.

Other Men’s Nominees to Watch

The full men’s nominees list includes several other categories. For example, the Goalkeeper of the Year shortlist features Yassine Bounou, Édouard Mendy and Ronwen Williams, and Walid Regragui is among the Coach of the Year nominees.

What Happens Next?

The winners will be announced in Lagos on 7 December, when winners in all categories will be announced. Until then, expect plenty of debate over who deserved a place. If you follow more football stories, visit our sports desk.

The shortlist is only the first step, and the winners are still to be decided. Even so, a Lagos ceremony without a Nigerian in the men’s race is a story nobody saw coming. For more stories, visit PINCHED.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is any Nigerian on the 2026 CAF Men’s Player of the Year shortlist?

No. The ten nominees come from Morocco, Senegal, Ivory Coast, DR Congo, Ghana and South Africa.

2. When and where is the 2026 CAF Awards ceremony?

It is scheduled for Monday, 7 December 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria.

3. Who won the CAF Men’s Player of the Year in 2025?

Achraf Hakimi won in 2025 and is the reigning winner.