CAF released the 2026 Men's Player of the Year shortlist on Tuesday ahead of the awards ceremony in Lagos on Monday December 07.
Reigning holder Achraf Hakimi of Morocco and Paris Saint Germain leads the eleven-man list.
Senegal's Sadio Mane, a former winner now at Al Nasser, is among the challengers.
Manchester United winger Amad Diallo of Ivory Coast and Manchester City's Antoine Semenyo of Ghana also feature.
Morocco's Brahim Diaz of Real Madrid and Ismael Saibari of Bayern Munich make the cut.
Senegal duo Ismaila Sarr and Pape Gueye join DR Congo's Yoane Wissa of Newcastle United.
South Africa's Teboho Mokoena is the only Africa-based player on the shortlist.
Hakimi won the UEFA Champions League in 2025 and 2026 with PSG.
He also lifted Ligue 1 and the UEFA Super Cup in the same period.
The right-back finished 13th in the 2026 Ballon d'Or after placing sixth in 2025.
He captained Morocco to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and a 2026 World Cup quarter-final.
Hakimi recorded 49 appearances, four goals and 17 assists for PSG last season.
He now has three Champions League titles, matching Samuel Eto'o's African record.
Morocco's record World Cup appearance holder awaits a CAS decision on the 2025 Afcon after Senegal's appeal.
2026 CAF Player of the Year shortlist
- Achraf Hakimi (Morocco, PSG)
- Sadio Mane (Senegal, Al Nasser)
- Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast, Manchester United)
- Antoine Semenyo (Ghana, Manchester City)
- Brahim Diaz (Morocco, Real Madrid)
- Ismael Saibari (Morocco, Bayern Munich)
- Ismaila Sarr (Senegal)
- Pape Gueye (Senegal)
- Yoane Wissa (DR Congo, Newcastle United)
- Teboho Mokoena (South Africa)
Source: Kawowo Sports
