Ivory Coast has eight nominations in the initial lists for the 2026 CAF Awards, including six players as well as its two national teams, following the announcement of the male categories on Wednesday, November 4, and the female categories the day before.
Amad Diallo is among the ten candidates for the African Player of the Year award. The Ivorian international from Manchester United is competing against the defending champion Achraf Hakimi, as well as Sadio Mané, Brahim Diaz, Antoine Semenyo, Ismaïla Sarr, Pape Gueye, Ismael Saibari, Yoane Wissa, and Teboho Mokoena.
Yahia Fofana appears in the goalkeeper category, while Christ Inao and Yan Diomande have been shortlisted for the African Young Player of the Year award. The Ivorian men’s national team is also among the ten nominated national teams.
Among women, Grâce-Ruth Séry and N’Sira Ouédraogo are both in the running for the Young African Player of the Year title. Both internationals play for FC Nordsjælland in Denmark, according to the list published by CAF.
The Elephants are also among the ten candidates for the Women’s National Team of the Year award. This presence brings the number of Ivorian nominations in the already published male and female lists to eight.
CAF has selected ten candidates in each of the seven announced male categories. Four female categories have been announced, while the lists of interclub players, coaches, and female clubs will be published after the 2026 Women’s Champions League in Egypt.
The winners will be announced on December 7 in Lagos, Nigeria. The ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts.
