Soccer
Victor Osimhen of Nigeria Super Eagles. Copyright: ImagoxSFSIx
Super Eagles stars Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman have a chance to celebrate on home soil, as the 2026 CAF Awards has been scheduled to take place in Lagos, Soccernet.ng reports.
The CAF Awards is the biggest and most prestigious football awards ceremony on the continent. As it stands, only six Super Eagles players (past and present) have won the coveted prize.
The last time Nigeria hosted the event was for the 2016 edition, which took place in January 2017 in Abuja. It was held at the International Conference Centre. Riyad Mahrez and Asisat Oshoala carted away the men’s and women’s Player of the Year (POTY) awards that year.
Since then, Nigeria has not hosted the ceremony. However, reports have now emerged that the event will be held at the newly transformed Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts in Lagos.
This announcement is a significant milestone for Nigerian football, coming at a time when the country is also set to welcome the 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly in October.
Soccer Can Victor Osimhen or Ademola Lookman Win the CAF POTY?
Aside from the fact that winning the hosting rights is a win for Nigeria, the occasion could become even sweeter for Osimhen and Lookman if they get the chance to lift the ultimate individual prize in front of their home fans.
Both Super Eagles forwards are expected to be among the top contenders when CAF unveils its shortlist for the Men’s Player of the Year award.
Osimhen enjoyed a very good season in front of goal, racking up 22 goals and eight assists in 33 games. He secured the league title with Galatasaray and stood out as one of the most lethal performers in the Champions League.
Meanwhile, Lookman continued to impress with stellar displays for both club and country, following his historic win of the prestigious CAF POTY in 2024. After joining Atlético Madrid in January, he established himself as one of the league’s standout players, registering nine goals and four assists in 24 matches.
The pair also featured prominently in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Best XI earlier this year after inspiring Nigeria to a third-place finish.
However, they will face fierce competition from other stellar names, including Achraf Hakimi, Brahim Diaz, Yan Diomande, and Bryan Mbeumo.
Aside from the Men’s Player of the Year, the ceremony will also spotlight winners for the Women’s Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, National Team of the Year, and Club of the Year. The date is yet to be confirmed, but it will likely be in December.
Kelvin Omachonu
Kelvin Omachonu is a professional football columnist and sports writer with over half a decade of experience covering major events and delivering captivating, analytically-driven stories.
A graduate of the University of Ibadan, he is fueled by a profound dedication to sports journalism and the beautiful game. His insights have previously been featured in respected outlets, including IndyPress UI, UCJ UI Newshive NG, Sportpremi, and a few others.
Away from work, Kelvin is an avid fan of basketball, enjoys a great movie, and is always discovering new music.
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