Portuguese Managers Nominated for 2026 CAF Coach of the Year
Portuguese managerial talent is taking center stage in African football as Alexandre Santos and Miguel Cardoso have been named among the 10 finalists for the 2026 CAF Coach of the Year award. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced the prestigious shortlist today, highlighting the significant influence of Portuguese tactics on the continent.
The Battle of the Portuguese Tacticians
The nomination of Santos and Cardoso follows a dramatic season where the two coaches crossed paths at the highest level of African club football. Miguel Cardoso, currently at the helm of South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns, enters the race as a favorite after leading his side to African Champions League glory last season. Cardoso’s victory came at the expense of his compatriot, defeating Santos’s former side in the final.
Alexandre Santos earned his spot on the shortlist following an impressive continental run with Morocco’s FAR Rabat, steering them to the Champions League final. After a brief four-match stint with Nacional in Portugal earlier this season, Santos recently returned to familiar territory, rejoining Angola’s Petro de Luanda—a club he successfully managed between 2021 and 2024.
A Competitive Field of Nominees
The Portuguese duo faces stiff competition from a diverse field of elite managers. The list includes Bubista, the reigning titleholder who made history by leading Cape Verde to the 2026 World Cup. Other notable contenders include Morocco’s Walid Regragui and DR Congo’s Sébastien Desabre.
Player of the Year: Man Utd and Real Madrid Stars Lead the Race
Beyond the touchline, the battle for Player of the Year features some of world football’s biggest names. Manchester United’s Ivorian winger Amad Diallo and Real Madrid’s Brahim Díaz (Morocco) are among the headliners. They are joined by perennial contender Sadio Mané of Senegal and PSG’s Achraf Hakimi.
Celebrating the Best of Africa
The CAF Awards also recognize excellence across several other categories:
- National Team of the Year: Nominees include surprise World Cup successes Cape Verde, alongside heavyweights like Ivory Coast, Morocco, and Senegal.
- Goalkeeper of the Year: A 10-man shortlist featuring Cape Verde’s Vozinha, Morocco’s Yassine Bounou, and Senegal’s Édouard Mendy.
The winners will be revealed at a star-studded gala on December 7 in Lagos, Nigeria. The event serves as the premier annual celebration of the talent, growth, and passion defining African football on the global stage.
Image: Pexels – Chibili Mugala
