Morocco Shines in CAF Awards 2026 Nominations
This Tuesday morning, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) revealed the first part of the nominations for the CAF Awards 2026, set to take place on December 7 in Lagos, Nigeria. Morocco has made a significant mark by securing nominations in all four unveiled categories: National Team, Player of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, and Young Player of the Year. The Moroccan representatives include Hanane Aït El Haj, Khadija Er-Rmichi, and Kautar Azraf, showcasing the country's strength in women's football.
Excitement Builds for the Ceremony in Lagos
The prestigious awards ceremony will be held on December 7 at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Lagos. CAF confirmed Lagos as the host city following an executive committee meeting on October 2. At this stage, the official list of male nominees for the Best African Player award has yet to be released.
Morocco stands out among the ten national teams competing for the award, joining esteemed rivals such as Cameroon, the recent African champions, Algeria, Nigeria, and South Africa. The country's representation in multiple categories underscores the growing prominence of Moroccan football on the continental stage.
In the running for the Player of the Year title is Hanane Aït El Haj, a defender for Deportivo Alavés in Spain. Her nomination stems from her outstanding performances during the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (AWCON), where she was named to the tournament's best XI, scored one goal, and provided four assists. Notably, she was also awarded the Player of the Match against Kenya in a decisive 4-0 victory for Morocco.
Khadija Er-Rmichi, a seasoned goalkeeper, is once again among the top ten nominees in her category. This isn't her first nomination; she was also recognized in 2023 and 2024, highlighting her consistent performance and importance to the Moroccan national team.
Lastly, Kautar Azraf, an 18-year-old rising star, represents Morocco in the Young Player of the Year category. As a forward for FC Barcelona's reserve team, she made her debut in major competitions with the Lionesses of the Atlas at a young age. Azraf has the potential to follow in the footsteps of her compatriot Doha El Madani, the winner of the previous edition.
As reported by lopinion.ma.
