Caleb Yirenkyi (L) and Antoine Semenyo
Ghana midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi has been shortlisted for the Young Player of the Year award at the 2026 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards.
The 20-year-old is the only Ghanaian among the 10 nominees, following an impressive year at club and international level. He earned recognition for his performances with Danish side FC Nordsjælland before completing a move to English Premier League club Coventry City.
Yirenkyi also made his mark with the Black Stars at the FIFA World Cup. He scored Ghana’s winning goal in the 1-0 victory over Panama, a crucial result that helped the team reach the knockout stage for the first time in 16 years.
He faces competition from nine other talents across the continent. The shortlist includes Algeria’s Ibrahim Maza, Cameroon’s Christian Kofane, Ivory Coast’s Christ Inao and Yan Diomande, Egypt’s Hamza Abdelkarim, Ismaël Kamissoko, Morocco’s Abdellah Ouazane and Ayoub Bouaddi, and a Senegalese nominee.
The source text cuts off before naming the Senegalese player, so you may want to confirm the name before publishing. Likewise, Ismaël Kamissoko’s country is not stated in the text, so I have left him without a nationality.
The 2026 CAF Awards ceremony will take place on Monday, December 7, in Lagos, Nigeria, where the continent’s top players, coaches and teams will be honoured for their achievements during the year.
In another category, Manchester City midfielder, Antoine Semenyo has been nominated for the Men’s Player of the Year award at the 2026 CAF Awards, earning recognition for his performances for club and country.
He is among the continent’s leading footballers shortlisted for the prestigious individual honour, adding to Ghana’s growing representation at this year’s awards.
Semenyo enjoyed an outstanding 2025/26 campaign, establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s most influential attackers following his move from Bournemouth to Manchester City during the winter transfer window.
The 26-year-old made an immediate impact at the Etihad Stadium, contributing goals and assists as Pep Guardiola’s side competed across domestic competitions.
Semenyo will face competition from Ivory Coast’s Amad Diallo, DR Congo’s Yoane Wissa, Moroccan trio Ismael Saibari, Achraf Hakimi, Brahim Diaz, Senegal trio Ismaila Sarr, Pape Gueye, Sadio Mane and Teboho Mokoena from South Africa.
He also helped Manchester City secure the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, with his decisive strike against Chelsea in the FA Cup final further highlighting his importance to the team.
His nomination also recognises his contributions to the Black Stars, where he has remained an important figure in Ghana’s attacking setup.
BY Wletsu Ransford