Ademola Lookman and Achraf Hakimi Lead 2026 CAF Award Power Rankings After Champions League Semi-Final Success
The race for the 2026 CAF Men's Player of the Year is intensifying, with Ademola Lookman and Achraf Hakimi emerging as frontrunners following their pivotal roles in securing UEFA Champions League semi-final spots for their respective clubs. Both players have demonstrated exceptional skill and leadership, making this award battle one of the most thrilling in recent years.
Hakimi's Strong Position in the CAF Award Rankings
Achraf Hakimi, the current holder of the CAF Best Player award after winning in 2025, holds a narrow edge in the power rankings. The Moroccan captain's credentials are bolstered by two major achievements: leading Morocco to victory in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and guiding Paris Saint-Germain to another deep run in the Champions League. Hakimi's influence extends beyond defense, with impressive assist numbers, key goals from the right-back position, and leadership for both club and country.
CAF voters traditionally value players who excel at the club level while also achieving success with their national teams, and Hakimi meets all these criteria. Morocco's AFCON win on home soil provides a powerful narrative boost, especially as Hakimi was central to their campaign. Entering 2026 as the reigning CAF Player of the Year further strengthens his case for defending the title.
Lookman's Surge in the Power Rankings
Ademola Lookman is making the 2026 CAF award race highly competitive with his standout performances. The Nigerian forward has proven his ability to deliver in high-stakes situations, notably scoring a crucial goal for Atletico Madrid against Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-final, which propelled his team into the semi-finals. At 28 years old, Lookman, who won the award in 2024, also played a vital role for Nigeria, helping the Super Eagles secure bronze at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
Lookman's reputation for defining knockout games is a key factor in his candidacy. Since joining Atletico Madrid in January, he has scored decisive goals against top clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona. CAF voters often remember iconic moments, and Lookman is accumulating them at an opportune time. If Atletico Madrid advances further in Europe, he could quickly become the outright favourite for the award.
Other Contenders for the 2026 CAF Award
While Hakimi and Lookman currently dominate the conversation, the race is far from over. Victor Osimhen remains a proven favourite, with his goalscoring prowess for Galatasaray keeping him in contention. Osimhen is among the leading goalscorers in the Champions League this season with seven goals and is on track to win the Turkish Super Lig and Turkish Cup.
Ghana's Antoine Semenyo is another outside favourite, excelling since joining Manchester City. Semenyo has already won the Carabao Cup this season and could finish the campaign with three titles, as Manchester City remains in contention for the Premier League and FA Cup. Other notable contenders include Sadio Mane, Serhou Guirassy, and Yassine Bounou. For now, however, the momentum favours the Champions League semi-finalists, Hakimi and Lookman.
Sunday Oliseh Applauds Ademola Lookman
In related news, former Nigerian footballer Sunday Oliseh has praised Ademola Lookman for his performance in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League clash on Tuesday, April 14. Lookman's crucial goal helped Atletico Madrid qualify for the semi-finals for the first time in nine years, further cementing his status as a top contender for the 2026 CAF award.
