Former Nigerian international Garba Lawal in an exclusive interview with Africafoot has explained that the absence of Super Eagles stars from the 10-man shortlist for the 2026 CAF Men’s Player of the Year award is disappointing but logical.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) unveiled the official nominees on Wednesday, with notable omissions including Victor Osimhen who lifted the crown three years ago and Ademola Lookman, who claimed the award two years ago.
Speaking exclusively to Africafoot, former Super Eagles midfielder Lawal believes failing to qualify for football’s showpiece global tournament severely damaged the chances of Nigeria’s top talent.
’Missing the World Cup was costly’
Lawal pointed to a combination of patchy club form, injuries, and a disastrous World Cup qualification campaign as the main reasons for the exclusion.
”It’s disturbing that a Nigerian is not on the list. But we know that several factors are responsible for something like this. It could be loss of form, injury or lack of form,” he told Africafoot. ”But missing the World Cup is another genuine factor, because it is the biggest tournament in the world and once you aren’t there as a player, it’s difficult to make the list for such award.”
”Maybe Osimhen or Lookman would have made the list if Nigeria had qualified. Missing the World Cup was costly and we can see it now.”
Victor Osimhen and four other most valuable African players in Turkish Super Lig
”Osimhen won it three years ago and Lookman two years ago,time flies and they aren’t getting any younger. The race for another award has started with the AFCON Qualifiers, I hope they’ll make the most of it and perform well. It’s really disturbing that they aren’t listed for the award but not surprising.”
The 10-man nominees list
Despite the absence of Nigerian stars, the 10-man shortlist boasts a heavily contested lineup of Africa’s finest talent.
The nominees feature Moroccan trio Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain), Brahim Díaz (Real Madrid), and Ismaël Saibari (PSV Eindhoven), alongside Senegal’s Sadio Mane (Al-Nassr), Ismaïla Sarr (Crystal Palace), and Pape Gueye (Villarreal). Côte d’Ivoire’s Amad Diallo (Manchester United), DR Congo’s Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United), Ghana’s Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth), and South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns) complete the elite field vying for continental glory.
Can Hakimi retain his crown in Lagos?
The glittering gala ceremony for the CAF Awards 2026 will take place at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Lagos, Nigeria.
Reigning holder Achraf Hakimi heads into the event tagged as the overwhelming favorite to retain his crown. The Paris Saint-Germain right-back enjoyed a standout campaign, playing a vital role in his club’s dominance in Ligue 1 and and Europe. He also led Morocco to a strong run on the international stage including the World Cup and the AFCON.
However, Hakimi faces fierce competition from fellow countryman Brahim Díaz, whose dynamic displays for Real Madrid earned critical acclaim, as well as two-time winner Sadio Mané, who continues to deliver key performances for club and country.
Premier League standouts such as Amad Diallo and Antoine Semenyo will also hope to pull off an upset on African football’s biggest night.
