Barbra Banda & Hazel Nali Shortlisted for 2026 CAF Awards
Zambia captain Barbra Banda has been shortlisted for the 2026 CAF Women’s Player of the Year award alongside some of Africa’s biggest football stars, including Malawi’s Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga, South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana and three members of Cameroon’s historic WAFCON-winning squad.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced the nominees on Tuesday, with the awards ceremony scheduled for December 7, 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria.
Banda, who won the prestigious award in 2024, returns to the shortlist following another year of impressive performances for club and country. She represents Orlando Pride and will compete against nine other nominees for the continental honour.
Cameroon’s success at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations has also been reflected in the nominations, with Marie Ngah Manga, Michaely Bihina and Monique Ngock all making the shortlist after helping the Indomitable Lionesses secure their first continental title.
Malawi’s sisters Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga have also been recognised following their country’s historic run to the WAFCON final and qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Temwa finished the tournament as the leading scorer with five goals and two assists.
South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana, Algeria’s Marine Dafeur, Ghana’s Portia Boakye and Morocco’s Hanan Ait El Haj complete the ten-player shortlist.
Other CAF Women’s Awards categories
Zambia also features in the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year category, where Hazel Nali has been nominated following her contributions to the national team.
She faces competition from Cameroon’s Michaely Bihina, Algeria’s Chloe N’Gazi, Ghana’s Cynthia Konlan, Malawi’s Mercy Sikelo, Mali’s Fatoumata Karantao, Morocco’s Khadija El-Rmichi, Nigeria’s Christiana Uzoma, Senegal’s Adji Ndiaye and South Africa’s Kaylin Swart.
The Women’s Young Player of the Year category recognises emerging talents from across the continent, while the Women’s National Team of the Year shortlist includes ten countries, among them Zambia’s regional rivals and established African football nations.
Cameroon and Malawi headline the national team nominations following their impressive WAFCON campaigns, with Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa also shortlisted.
Meanwhile, nominees for Women’s Interclub Player of the Year, Women’s Coach of the Year and Women’s Club of the Year will be announced after the conclusion of the CAF Women’s Champions League Egypt 2026.
The CAF Awards 2026 will celebrate outstanding performances across African football, with Banda once again carrying Zambia’s hopes in the race for one of the continent’s biggest individual women’s football honours.
