Regragui and Ouahbi lead strong North African presence on CAF coaching shortlist

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the 10 nominees for its 2026 Men’s Coach of the Year award, with Morocco and Egypt providing four of the leading contenders.

Former Morocco manager Walid Regragui and his successor Mohamed Ouahbi are both included, alongside Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan and Zamalek manager Moatamed Gamal.

Regragui guided Morocco to the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The title was subsequently awarded administratively to Morocco after Senegal withdrew from the match, although the final decision remains with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Ouahbi took charge of the Atlas Lions after Regragui and continued the team’s progress following his success in winning the Under-20 World Cup last year. Under his leadership, Morocco reached the quarter-finals of the competition before being eliminated by France.

Hassan led Egypt to qualification for the 2026 World Cup and then guided the Pharaohs to the last 16 for the first time in their history. Their campaign ended with defeat by Argentina.

Gamal, meanwhile, took Zamalek to the CAF Confederation Cup final and led the club to the Egyptian league title despite the extremely difficult circumstances surrounding the Cairo side.

Full list of nominees

The remaining six candidates include Senegalese coach Lamine Ndiaye, who won the CAF Confederation Cup with Algerian club USM Alger during his first season in charge.

Portuguese coach Pedro Leitao Brito, known as Bubista, is also nominated after taking Cape Verde to the World Cup and then guiding them to the round of 32 in their first appearance at the tournament.

French coach Sebastien helped Democratic Republic of the Congo qualify for the 2026 World Cup, ending the country’s long absence from the competition.

Portuguese manager Alexandre Santos reached the CAF Champions League final with Moroccan club AS FAR, while Pape Thiaw led Senegal to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final and secured their place at the 2026 World Cup.

The list is completed by Miguel Cardoso, who won the CAF Champions League and the African Football League with South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns.

The 2026 CAF Awards ceremony will take place in Lagos, Nigeria, on 7 December, when the winners in all categories will be announced.