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Osimhen, Lookman, Others Snubbed as Hakimi Favourite to Retain CAF Award
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Published 11/4/2026 9:41:20 PM
Osimhen, Lookman, Others Snubbed as Hakimi Favourite to Retain CAF Award – THISDAYLIVE
Nigeria’s top players like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman were ignored in the Confederation of African Football’s CAF Awards list unveiled yesterday.
The CAF Award ceremony is scheduled to hold in Lagos pm December 7.
In the men’s categories released on Wednesday, no Nigerian male player secured nomination in Player of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, Interclub Player of the Yeat, Coach of the year, Young Player of the Year, National Team of the year; and Club of the Year.
However, reigning Player of the Year, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi headlines the men’s individual nominations, alongside former winner, Sadio Mané, Ghana’s Antoine Semenyo, Morocco’s Brahmin Díaz and Senegal’s Pape Gueye.
Super Falcons’ top stars like Azizat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade and Chiamaka Nnadozie were all left out in the women’s categories
Meanwhile, Flamingos rising star Kemi Adegbuyi and Falconets and Benfica striker Janet ‘Semenya’ Akekoromowei have made the 10-person shortlist for the 2026 CAF Young Player (women).
Edo Queens’ goaltender, Christiana Uzoma was also listed in the goalkeeper category.
Adegbuyi, 16, has been among the goals as the Flamingos reached the U17 World Cup final for the first time.
She has also been outstanding at the WAFU B level as well as in the NWFL.
‘Semenya’, on the other hand, featured for the Falconets at the U20 World Cup in Poland earlier in the year.
The other nominees include Grace-Ruth Sery, Rose Kadzere, Adji Ndiaye, Romaine Gandonou and Winfrida Gerald
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Chuks Okocha in Abuja
Despite the judgement of the Court of Appeal that dismissed the appeal of the Tanimu Turaki faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), filed by the Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, it said it was going on appeal to Supreme court.
The Special Panel of the Court of Appeal, yesterday, delivered judgment in the suit.
The appeal CA/ABJ/CV/1221/2026 filed by Wabara and 7 Others, against the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and six others, sought among other reliefs, an order vacating the judgment of the Federal High Court which refused to direct INEC to recognise the Interim National Working Committee led by Turaki, as constituted by the National Executive Committee meeting convened after the judgment of the Supreme Court.
The Panel presided by Justice Ugochukwu Anthony Ogakwu JCA, Justice Laja Balogun JCA and Justice Ruquayat Oremei Ayoola JCA (who read the judgment) upheld the judgment of the Federal High Court per Justice Salim and dismissed the Appeal.
A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the faction, Ini Ememobong, stated that, “While we respect the judgment of the court, we are determined to take our quest for justice anchored on truth to the apex court in the land.
“It is our belief that no matter how deep the truth is buried, if those seeking it are persistent in digging, it will one day resurface. We have instructed our lawyers to immediately file an appeal before the Supreme Court, in the hope that justice will eventually be done.
“The Peoples Democratic Party must as an opposition party, offer alternative to the ruling party, and not become an appendage of it. Democracy survives only when the opposition is strong enough to effectively engage the government.
“We urge all or members to remain firm and resolute as we approach the highest court of the land. We trust that there is light at the end of the tunnel and that when this victory is finally won, the pains we are passing through will make a good story for the survival of multiparty democracy and the next generation.”
