Hakimi vs Osimhen: Top 10 favourites for 2026 Africa Footballer of the Year

The 2026 CAF Africa Footballer of the Year race has a clear front-runner in Victor Osimhen and Achraf Hakimi, but the order behind them is tight, Afrik-Foot reports.

This ranking considers club success, performances at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which ended in January 2026, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It also weighs individual output and influence in major matches. CAF’s last award went to Achraf Hakimi, while Ademola Lookman won in 2024.

2026 Africa Footballer of the Year favourites

10. Yan Diomande, Ivory Coast, Real Madrid

Diomande gets into the top 10 because his rise has been remarkable. He helped Ivory Coast at AFCON 2025 and then made the jump from RB Leipzig to Real Madrid. His Leipzig season ended with 12 goals and nine assists in 33 appearances before Madrid gave the 19-year-old a seven-year deal.

9. Yoane Wissa, DR Congo, Newcastle United

Wissa had only three goals in 28 Newcastle appearances, but his World Cup changed the picture. He scored DR Congo’s first World Cup goal in 52 years against Portugal, then scored twice against Uzbekistan in a 3-1 comeback. His three goals helped DR Congo reach the knockout stage for the first time.

8. Mohamed Salah, Egypt, Trabzonspor

Salah brings proven quality. He scored four goals and made one assist at AFCON 2025 before Egypt reached the semi-finals. At the World Cup, he added three goals and two assists. His move to Trabzonspor has also started well, with two goals in his first two league matches.

7. Ademola Lookman, Nigeria, Atlético Madrid

Lookman remains a serious contender because of his all-round impact. The former winner was named in CAF’s AFCON Team of the Tournament after helping Nigeria finish third. His move to Atlético Madrid in February added another elite club platform. The major weakness is Nigeria’s failure to reach the World Cup, which removes a major part of his 2026 case.

6. Antoine Semenyo, Ghana, Manchester City

Semenyo made a huge jump in 2026. He scored 10 Premier League goals before his January move from Bournemouth to Manchester City. He then scored the 72nd-minute winner against Chelsea in the FA Cup final, giving City their eighth FA Cup. He also won the League Cup.

5. Brahim Diaz, Morocco, Real Madrid

Diaz had an excellent AFCON, scoring five times as Morocco reached the final. His World Cup case is even stronger. He finished the tournament with four assists, one of the best totals in the competition, and helped Morocco reach the quarter-finals.

4. Ismaila Sarr, Senegal, Crystal Palace

Sarr was one of Africa’s most productive World Cup attackers. He scored four goals in four matches, finishing as Africa’s leading scorer at the tournament. Senegal reached the knockout stage, and Sarr scored twice in the 3-2 loss to Norway before scoring against Iraq. He also played a key role as Senegal won the disputed AFCON 2025 final.

3. Ismael Saibari, Morocco, Bayern Munich

Saibari’s year has been extraordinary. He was named Eredivisie Player of the Year after helping PSV win the league, with 15 goals and 8 assists. At the World Cup, he scored against Brazil and Scotland, becoming the first Moroccan to score in consecutive World Cup matches. His strike against Scotland came after only two minutes and earned him Player of the Match.

2. Victor Osimhen, Nigeria, Galatasaray

Osimhen’s case is built on goals. Galatasaray won the 2025-26 Turkish title, with the Nigerian scoring 15 goals in 22 league matches. The Super Eagles star also netted seven times as Galatasaray reached the knockout round of the Champions League for the first time in 12 years. Osimhen also helped Nigeria finish third at AFCON, where he was named in the Team of the Tournament. Nigeria’s absence from the World Cup hurts his case.

1. Achraf Hakimi, Morocco, Paris Saint-Germain

Hakimi has the strongest overall case. He won the CAF award last year, then helped PSG win another Champions League title in May 2026. Morocco reached the AFCON final and later reached the World Cup quarter-finals. Hakimi also supplied two World Cup assists. His club trophies, leadership and international impact put him narrowly ahead.