The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled the nominees for the prestigious National Team of the Year award. A total of 10 teams have been shortlisted for the coveted honour, with Morocco’s U20 team and Cape Verde’s senior national team making the list.
Morocco’s U20 team has been recognised for their historic win in the Fifa U-20 World Cup, where they defeated Argentina 2-0 in the final. Yassir Zabiri opened the scoring with a free kick in the 12th minute, and Zabiri scored again 17 minutes later to seal the win for Morocco. This achievement marks a significant milestone for African football, as Morocco becomes the first Arab nation to win the under-20 World Cup.
Cape Verde’s senior national team, on the other hand, has been nominated for their impressive performance in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Under the guidance of coach Bubista, the Blue Sharks secured a historic qualification for the World Cup, topping their group ahead of Cameroon.
Other nominees for the National Team of the Year award include:
Algeria – Qualified for the 2026 World Cup, dominating Group G with a seven-point lead ahead of Uganda and Mozambique
Côte d’Ivoire – Afcon champions, marking a dramatic turnaround from a challenging group stage
Egypt – Qualified for the 2026 World Cup
Ghana – Qualified for the 2026 World Cup
Morocco – Qualified for the 2026 World Cup
Senegal – Qualified for the 2026 World Cup
South Africa – Finished third in the Afcon and maintained an unbeaten streak in 2024
Tunisia – Qualified for the 2026 World Cup
The winner of the National Team of the Year award will be announced at the upcoming CAF Awards ceremony, which will honour the outstanding achievements of African football teams, players and coaches.
