CAF Awards 2026: Bouaddi, Diomande and Maza lead young player shortlist

Ayyoub Bouaddi, Yan Diomande and Ibrahim Maza are the leading contenders for the 2026 CAF Young Player of the Year award after being included on a 10-player shortlist.

The trio were all listed in the Kopa Trophy rankings a week ago and will now compete for the equivalent prize on the African football stage.

Bouaddi may have the strongest case on paper. The Manchester City midfielder made a major impression during Morocco’s run to the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup.

The former Lille player was only 18 and had limited international experience before the tournament, but he produced an especially convincing display against Brazil. Mohamed Ouahbi kept him in Morocco’s midfield for the remainder of the competition, where he made five appearances and played 384 minutes.

His composure, defensive work-rate and ability to handle pressure helped elevate his profile. That successful World Cup campaign could carry significant weight when the CAF award is decided.

Bouaddi also finished sixth in the Kopa Trophy standings, ahead of Maza, who was ninth.

Diomande ranked above both players in that global under-21 list, finishing fifth. The Ivorian winger is now established at Real Madrid and has begun to make an impact in both La Liga and the Champions League.

His dynamic style and high-profile club status could strengthen his claim. Votes from former Ballon d’Or winners, including Ronaldinho and Rivaldo, also underlined his popularity during the Kopa Trophy process.

Maza, meanwhile, brings a wide range of qualities to the contest. The Algeria international is developing at Bayer Leverkusen and has taken on increasing importance for the Fennecs.

Able to create chances, score and bring team-mates into play, Maza has become one of the most promising figures in Algeria’s new generation. Although his Kopa Trophy position was less favourable, the CAF award is judged within a different context.

Performances for African national teams and the views of voters from the continent could narrow the gap between Maza and the other two leading candidates. His place in the global top 10 remains a strong part of his case, while Lionel Messi ranked him third in his Kopa Trophy vote.

Christian Kofane also has a credible opportunity after his rapid rise with Bayer Leverkusen and Cameroon. The Ivory Coast’s Christ Inao, Morocco’s Abdellah Ouazane and Senegal’s Ibrahim Mbaye represent an even younger group already making progress at major European clubs.

The shortlist is completed by Egypt’s Hamza Abdelkarim, Ghana’s Caleb Yirenkyi and Mali’s Ismael Kamissoko. They have less international experience and visibility than the three foremost contenders.

Diomande has the most prestigious club standing, Bouaddi the strongest World Cup campaign and Maza the most consistent overall profile. The CAF race therefore looks like a three-way contest built on distinctly different strengths.