The Confederation of African Football has rescheduled the 2026 CAF Awards ceremony to December 2, bringing the event forward by five days.
The African football governing body announced the change in a statement on Tuesday, although it did not provide any reason for the adjustment.
The ceremony will still take place at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Art Theatre, in Lagos.
The event is scheduled to begin at 7 pm Nigerian time.
CAF had initially fixed December 7 for the awards, which will come two weeks after its forthcoming Ordinary General Assembly in Abuja. Voting for the various categories is expected to close on November 20.
Nigeria will have representatives competing for several honours despite the absence of Super Falcons and Super Eagles players from the women’s and men’s Player of the Year shortlists.
It is the first time since the women’s award was introduced in 2001 that no Nigerian player has been nominated for the women’s top prize. Similarly, no Super Eagles player made the men’s shortlist for the first time since 2015.
However, Janet Akekoromowei and Flamingos forward Oluwakemi Adegbuyi are in contention for the Best Young Talent award, while Edo Queens goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma has been nominated for the Best Goalkeeper prize.
Nigeria last hosted the CAF Awards ceremony on January 6, 2017, when Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez won the men’s Player of the Year award, while Asisat Oshoala claimed the women’s honour.
