Osimhen, Lookman, Others Snubbed as Hakimi Favourite to Retain CAF Award

Nigeria’s top players like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman were ignored in the Confederation of African Football’s CAF Awards list unveiled yesterday.

The CAF Award ceremony is scheduled to hold in Lagos pm December 7.

In the men’s categories released on Wednesday, no Nigerian male player secured nomination in Player of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, Interclub Player of the Yeat, Coach of the year, Young Player of the Year, National Team of the year; and Club of the Year.

However, reigning Player of the Year, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi headlines the  men’s individual nominations, alongside former winner, Sadio Mané, Ghana’s Antoine Semenyo, Morocco’s Brahmin Díaz and Senegal’s Pape Gueye.

Super Falcons’ top stars like Azizat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade and Chiamaka Nnadozie were all left out in the women’s categories 

Meanwhile, Flamingos rising star Kemi Adegbuyi and Falconets and Benfica striker Janet ‘Semenya’ Akekoromowei have made the 10-person shortlist for the 2026 CAF Young Player (women). 

Edo Queens’ goaltender, Christiana Uzoma was also listed in the goalkeeper category.

Adegbuyi, 16, has been among the goals as the Flamingos reached the U17 World Cup final for the first time.

She has also been outstanding at the WAFU B level as well as in the NWFL.

‘Semenya’, on the other hand, featured for the Falconets at the U20 World Cup in Poland earlier in the year.

The other nominees include Grace-Ruth Sery, Rose Kadzere, Adji Ndiaye, Romaine Gandonou and Winfrida Gerald