2026 CAF Awards shortlist: Egyptian footballers and coaches set to battle for Africa’s top prizes

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially announced the shortlist of nominees for the 2026 CAF Awards, which will be hosted in the Nigerian capital, Lagos, on December 7. The final shortlist was marked by the exclusion of Al Ahly and star-studded Pyramids FC from the Club of the Year category.

Club and national team nominations: Zamalek carries Egyptian hopes

• Club of the Year: Zamalek SC stands as the sole representative of Egyptian football in this category, bearing the hopes of Egyptian fans to clinch the prestigious continental title amid fierce competition from Arab giants (including Esperance de Tunis, Al Hilal Sudan, USM Alger, CR Belouizdad, FAR Rabat, RS Berkane, and Olympique Asfi) alongside South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns and DRC’s Maniema Union.

• National Team of the Year: The Egyptian National Team (“The Pharaohs”) leads a strong Arab presence alongside Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. They will clash with heavyweight contenders such as Ivory Coast, Senegal, South Africa, Ghana, DR Congo, and tournament surprise Cape Verde in an open race for continental dominance.

Coach of the Year: Hossam Hassan and Moatamed Gamal lead the line

Egypt boasts two prominent names in the Coach of the Year category:

• Hossam Hassan: Head coach of the Egyptian National Team, nominated following a major resurgence in performance and results with The Pharaohs both continentally and internationally.

• Moatamed Gamal: Head coach of Zamalek SC, representing Egyptian domestic coaching alongside elite continental figures such as Walid Regragui and Mohamed Ouahbi (Morocco), Sébastien Desabre (DR Congo), and Pape Thiaw (Senegal).

Interclub and Young Player awards: Trézéguet, Shehata, and Hamza Abdelkarim

• Interclub Player of the Year (Based in Africa): Featured several prominent names, highlighted by Mohamed Shehata (Zamalek SC) and former Al Ahly star Mahmoud Hassan “Trézéguet” (currently playing for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Riyadh).

• Young Player of the Year: Promising Egyptian talent Hamza Abdelkarim made the final shortlist, competing alongside Algeria’s Ibrahim Maza and Moroccan duo Abdellah Ouazane and Ayyoub Bouaddi.

Goalkeeper of the Year: Shobier and El-Mahdy represent Egypt

In the Goalkeeper of the Year category, an Egyptian duo earned nominations to compete for Africa’s top goalkeeper honors:

• Mostafa Shobier: Al Ahly goalkeeper.

• El-Mahdy Soliman: Zamalek SC goalkeeper.

Women’s football overview

The Women’s category saw a historic presence for Algeria following their qualification for the 2027 World Cup, with Marine Dafeur nominated for Women’s Player of the Year alongside Morocco’s Hanane Aït El Haj. In the Goalkeeper of the Year category, Algeria’s Chloë N’Gazi and Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi feature among the final candidates.