By Simon Asare
Accra, Nov. 04, GNA – Ghana and Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo has earned a place among Africa’s elite footballers after being shortlisted for the 2026 CAF Men’s Player of the Year award.
The prestigious awards ceremony would take place in Lagos, Nigeria, on December 7, 2026, bringing together Africa’s leading football personalities to celebrate outstanding achievements at club and international level.
The 26-year-old has emerged as one of the Black Stars’ most reliable attacking weapons, combining pace, strength, versatility and a keen eye for goal.
His consistent performances for Manchester City and his increasing importance to Ghana’s national team have seen him join a distinguished list of nominees for the continent’s most prestigious individual accolade.
Sememyo faces stiff competition from the likes of reigning African Player of the Year Achraf Hakimi, former winner Sadio Mané and established internationals like Brahim Diaz, Amad Diallo, Yoane Wissa, among others.
While Semenyo would compete for the continent’s top individual honour, his fellow compatriot Caleb Yirenkyi has also been nominated for the CAF Young Player of the Year award.
Yirenkyi’s nomination follows a breakthrough year highlighted by his memorable performances at the FIFA World Cup 2026, where he scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner against Panama in Ghana’s opening group match.
The midfielder’s impressive displays on the global stage earned him a move from Danish side FC Nordsjælland to English Championship club Coventry City, further underlining his rapid rise in world football.
The young Ghanaian faces stiff competition from some of Africa’s brightest emerging talents, including Algeria’s Ibrahim Maza of Bayer Leverkusen, Cameroon’s Christian Kofane, Côte d’Ivoire duo Christ Inao and Yan Diomande, Egypt’s Hamza Abdelkarim, Mali’s Ismael Kamissoko, Morocco’s Abdellah Ouazane and Ayoub Bouaddi, as well as Senegal’s Ibrahim Mbaye.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Simon Asare
Email: [email protected]