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

The CAF announced on November 4 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 an impressive season with RB Leipzig and has recorded four goals and four assists in 14 matches for his new club. He finished fifth in the Kopa Trophy and is described as a serious contender. Inao, a Fiorentina midfielder and winner of the 2026 Yaya Touré Award, is also nominated despite a more difficult adjustment in Italy.