Semenyo, Yirenkyi and Black Stars All Nominated as Ghana Dominates 2026 CAF Awards Shortlist

Ghana is set to have a strong presence at the 2026 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards after the country secured nominations across three separate categories. Manchester City winger Antoine Semenyo leads the charge, having been named among ten finalists for the prestigious Player of the Year award, with the ceremony scheduled to take place in Lagos, Nigeria, on 7 December.

A season that earned Semenyo his place among Africa's best

Semenyo's nomination is a reflection of a remarkable year that saw him contribute to Manchester City's domestic cup double, playing his part in their FA Cup and Carabao Cup victories. The Ghanaian winger has established himself as one of the most exciting attackers in the Premier League, combining pace, directness and an eye for goal to cement his status at the highest level of club football.

Beyond his club exploits, Semenyo also featured for the Black Stars at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which was co-hosted by Mexico, Canada and the United States — further boosting his continental profile. His consistency across both club and international football made his nomination difficult to overlook for CAF selectors.

He faces stiff competition in the Player of the Year category, with the shortlist featuring some of the continent's most recognisable names. These include Ivory Coast's Amad Diallo, DR Congo's Yoane Wissa, South Africa's Teboho Mokoena, and a strong Senegalese contingent comprising Sadio Mané, Ismaila Sarr and Pape Gueye. Morocco are also well represented through Achraf Hakimi, Brahim Diaz and Ismael Saibari.

Ghana's broader footprint at this year's awards

Semenyo's shortlisting is not the only cause for celebration in Ghana. Young talent Caleb Yirenkyi has been included on the Young Player of the Year shortlist, signalling the emergence of the next generation of Ghanaian footballers on the continental stage. Additionally, the Black Stars themselves have been nominated in the National Team of the Year category — recognition that reflects Ghana's participation at the World Cup and their performances throughout the qualifying period.

Having three nominees across three different award categories places Ghana among the best-represented nations at this year's ceremony, a boost for a football association that has been working to rebuild its standing in African football.

Why it matters for Ghana

A CAF Player of the Year award for Semenyo would be historic for Ghana and deeply meaningful for a nation whose football identity is closely tied to the continental stage. No Ghanaian has lifted the award in recent memory, and a win for Semenyo would reignite excitement around the Black Stars at a time when the team is seeking to recapture its former glory.

The nominations also arrive at an important moment for Ghanaian football. The country's appearance at the 2026 World Cup provided renewed momentum, and recognition at the CAF Awards would validate the progress being made both at club and international level. For younger players like Yirenkyi, seeing a compatriot shortlisted for the continent's top individual honour serves as powerful motivation.

The Lagos ceremony on 7 December promises to be a significant evening for African football, and Ghana will be watching closely with every reason to hope for a memorable night.

• Antoine Semenyo shortlisted for CAF Player of the Year among ten nominees.
• Caleb Yirenkyi also nominated for Young Player of the Year at the same ceremony.
• The Black Stars are in contention for National Team of the Year at the Lagos event.