Ghana international Antoine Semenyo has earned a place among Africa’s finest footballers after being nominated for the 2026 CAF Men’s Player of the Year award.
The 26-year-old is one of 10 players shortlisted for the prestigious accolade, which recognises the continent’s outstanding performer over the eligibility period.
Semenyo’s nomination comes after an impressive 2025/2026 season, during which he established himself as one of the Premier League’s most exciting attacking players.
The Ghanaian enjoyed a strong first half of the campaign at Bournemouth before securing a move to Manchester City in January 2026.
He has continued to make an impact since arriving at the Etihad Stadium, scoring 13 goals in 35 appearances and underlining his value to the English champions.
One of the highlights of his campaign was scoring the winning goal in last season’s FA Cup final, further strengthening his growing reputation in English football.
His individual achievements also included a historic selection in the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Premier League Team of the Year, making him the first Ghanaian player to receive the honour.
On the international stage, Semenyo was an important figure for the Black Stars at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, where Ghana reached the knockout stage for the first time since 2010.
His pace, direct running and ability to trouble defenders have made him an influential member of the national team, with his performances helping to raise Ghana’s profile on the global stage.
However, winning the African football’s biggest individual prize will not be straightforward.
Semenyo faces competition from some of the continent’s established stars, including defending champion Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco, Senegal star Sadio Mane of Al Nassr, among others.
Despite currently being sidelined through injury, Semenyo has already registered two goals and three assists in eight appearances across all competitions for Manchester City this season.
The Ghanaian will be hoping his achievements over the past year, particularly his contributions at club level and during the World Cup, will be enough to put him in contention for the prestigious award.
The 2026 CAF Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Lagos, Nigeria, on Monday, 7 December, with outstanding performers and contributors to African football set to be recognised.
For Semenyo, the nomination represents another major milestone in a career that continues to gather momentum and offers Ghana another reason to celebrate its growing influence in world football.
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