Lagos:Accra Ghana and Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo has been shortlisted for the 2026 CAF Men's Player of the Year award, marking him as one of Africa's top footballers. The awards ceremony is set to take place in Lagos, Nigeria, on December 7, 2026, bringing together Africa's leading football personalities to celebrate outstanding achievements at both club and international levels.
According to Ghana News Agency, Semenyo's nomination reflects his status as a key player for the Black Stars, showcasing his pace, strength, versatility, and goal-scoring ability. His performances for both Manchester City and the Ghana national team have earned him a place among other distinguished nominees, including reigning African Player of the Year Achraf Hakimi, former winner Sadio Mané, and established internationals like Brahim Diaz, Amad Diallo, and Yoane Wissa.
In addition to Semenyo, Caleb Yirenkyi has been nominated for the CAF Young Player of the Year award. Yirenkyi's breakout year was highlighted by his performance at the FIFA World Cup 2026, where he scored a crucial stoppage-time winner against Panama in Ghana's opening group match. His displays have led to a transfer from Danish club FC Nordsjælland to English Championship side Coventry City.
Yirenkyi faces competition from a talented group of young players, including Algeria's Ibrahim Maza, Cameroon's Christian Kofane, Côte d'Ivoire's Christ Inao and Yan Diomande, Egypt's Hamza Abdelkarim, Mali's Ismael Kamissoko, Morocco's Abdellah Ouazane and Ayoub Bouaddi, and Senegal's Ibrahim Mbaye.