CAF Announces 2026 Men’s Coach of the Year Nominees

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released a 10-man shortlist for the Men’s Coach of the Year award at the 2026 CAF Awards, scheduled for December 7 in Lagos, Nigeria. The nominees include Lamine N’Diaye (Senegal), Pedro Leitão Brito (Cabo Verde), Sébastien Desabre (DR Congo), Hossam Hassan and Moatamed Gamal (Egypt), Alexandre Santos and Miguel Cardoso (Portugal), Mohamed Ouahbi and Walid Regragui (Morocco), and Pape Thiaw (Senegal).

Miguel Cardoso is recognized for leading Mamelodi Sundowns to their second CAF Champions League title, while Lamine N’Diaye is acknowledged for guiding USM Alger to the CAF Confederation Cup title. Pedro Leitão Brito, known as Bubista, is nominated for leading Cabo Verde to its first FIFA World Cup appearance.

The shortlist reflects the coaches' contributions to their teams in both national and club competitions throughout the year.