African Ballon d'Or: Nominations for Brahim and Diomande
The Confederation of African Football has unveiled its nominees, with Real Madrid duo Brahim and Yan Diomande leading the favorites in their respective categories.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released the list of nominees for the African Ballon d'Or and the Young Player of the Year awards, with Real Madrid players Brahim and Yan Diomande featuring prominently. Both are considered among the favorites to secure their respective honors.
Brahim is a top contender for the main prize following Morocco's administrative victory in the Africa Cup of Nations. The CAF Appeals Committee awarded the title to Morocco after Senegal failed to appear for the final following a disputed penalty incident.
The field for the African Ballon d'Or is highly competitive, featuring players such as Amad Diallo, Achraf Hakimi, and Sadio Mané.
Meanwhile, Yan Diomande has been nominated for the Young Player of the Year award. The Ivorian winger is favored to win after a standout campaign with Leipzig last season, carrying that form into his current stint in Madrid, where he has recorded four goals and four assists in 14 appearances.
The nominations also highlight the achievements of Cabo Verde coach Bubista. His recognition follows the national team's impressive performance at the 2026 World Cup, where they advanced from a group featuring Spain and Uruguay.