CAF Awards 2026: Yan Diomandé and Christ Inao among the ten finalists for African Young Player of the Year

On November 4, the CAF announced the ten nominees for the 2026 African Men’s Young Player of the Year award, including Ivorians Yan Diomandé and Christ Inao. The 19-year-old Diomandé joined Real Madrid in August after a season with RB Leipzig; he has recorded four goals and four assists in 14 appearances and finished fifth in the Kopa Trophy. Inao, a Fiorentina midfielder and winner of the 2026 Yaya Touré award, is also nominated despite a challenging adjustment to his new club.