CAF unveiled on Tuesday 3 November the ten contenders for the 2026 African Player of the Year title. Cameroon have Monique Ngock, Marie Gisèle Ngah Manga and Michaely Bihina on the list, all African champions with the Indomitable Lionesses.
Three Indomitable Lionesses, ten nominees in total: on the list unveiled by CAF, Cameroon have three representatives, the highest number of players from a single national team. Monique Ngock, Marie Gisèle Ngah Manga and Michaely Bihina join a group that includes other great players from the continent.
The national team’s run was crowned in Rabat on 16 August, when Cameroon won their first Women’s AFCON by beating Malawi 3-0 in the final. The ten names also include Marine Dafeur (Algeria), Hanane Aït El Haj (Morocco), Portia Boakye (Ghana), Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga (Malawi), Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa) and Barbra Banda (Zambia).
A title and individual awards
In the final, forward Marie Gisèle Ngah Manga scored a brace. She finished top of the scoring charts with five goals, level with Malawi’s Temwa Chawinga and Zambia’s Barbra Banda, according to afrik-foot.
In goal, keeper Michaely Bihina made nine saves against Nigeria in the quarter-finals, before saving a penalty and three shootout kicks against Morocco in the semi-finals. Her performances earned her the Golden Glove of the tournament. In midfield, Monique Ngock was named best player of the tournament.
A list without Chebbak
Alongside the three Cameroonians are Hanane Aït El Haj, Morocco’s right-back, top assist provider at the AFCON with five assists. Algeria’s Marine Dafeur, Ghana’s Portia Boakye, Malawi’s Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga, South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana and Zambia’s Barbra Banda complete the list.
The reigning title holder, Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak, is not among the ten names, according to afrik-foot.
The date in Lagos
The African Player of the Year title will be awarded at the CAF Awards ceremony, scheduled for Monday 7 December 2026 in Lagos, Nigeria, according to Dailysports.
Until then, the three Cameroonians, Monique Ngock, Marie Gisèle Ngah Manga and Michaely Bihina, remain in contention alongside the seven other nominees.