CAF Awards 2026: Nine countries represented in Best Young Player shortlist

Ten of Africa’s most promising young footballers have been shortlisted for the 2026 CAF Young Player of the Year award, with Senegal’s Ibrahim Mbaye, Ghana’s Caleb Yirenkyi and Ivory Coast’s Yan Diomandé among the nominees.

The shortlist features emerging talents from across the continent following a season in which several players made significant progress at club and international level.

Mbaye has attracted particular attention after an impressive campaign with Paris Saint-Germain and the Senegal national team. The 18-year-old forward enjoyed success with the French giants before helping Senegal achieve continental honours and making his mark on the international stage.

He produced two notable moments in 2026 that further established his reputation. On 3 January, Mbaye scored Senegal’s third goal in their 3-1 victory over Sudan in the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 after coming on as a substitute.

At 17 years and 344 days, he became the youngest player to score for Senegal in the competition and the youngest goalscorer at the Africa Cup of Nations in the 21st century.

He made history again at the World Cup on 16 June when he scored against France. The goal, scored at the age of 18 years and 143 days, made him the youngest African player to find the net in the tournament’s history, surpassing compatriot Moussa Wague’s previous record.

Since making his senior international debut in November 2025, Mbaye has recorded 18 appearances, five goals and four assists for Senegal. His contributions have come in the Africa Cup of Nations, World Cup and qualifying matches for the next continental tournament.

At club level, he featured 29 times for Paris Saint-Germain during the 2025-26 campaign, scoring three goals and providing two assists in all competitions. His spell in Paris also brought an impressive collection of honours, including two French league titles and two Champions League titles.

The youngster moved to Aston Villa in September 2026 to continue his development in the Premier League. He has since made 11 appearances for the English side, registering four assists.

Mbaye is among a competitive group of nominees that includes Algeria’s Ibrahim Maza, Cameroon’s Christian Kofane, Ivory Coast’s Christ Inao and Yan Diomandé, Egypt’s Hamza Abdelkarim, Ghana’s Caleb Yirenkyi, Mali’s Ismaël Kamissoko and Morocco’s Abdellah Ouazane and Ayoub Bouaddi.

The presence of players from several footballing nations highlights the depth of emerging talent across African football, with the nominees having the opportunity to claim one of the continent’s individual honours.

The winner will be announced at the 2026 CAF Awards ceremony in Lagos, Nigeria, on 7 December.

Morocco’s Othmane Maamma won the 2025 edition of the award, following back-to-back victories by Senegalese midfielder Lamine Camara in 2023 and 2024.