Ghana midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi has been nominated for the 2026 CAF Young Player of the Year award after an impressive 2025/26 season with Danish club FC Nordsjælland.
The 20-year-old is among 10 players shortlisted for the award, which recognises Africa’s most outstanding young footballers.
Yirenkyi made 30 appearances in the Danish Superliga, scoring twice and providing six assists. He played and started every league game, recording eight goal contributions.
His performances earned him the Danish Superliga Young Player of the Year award and Nordsjælland’s Player of the Season honour.
The Right to Dream Academy graduate also impressed with his versatility, featuring in midfield, at right-back and in central defence.
He made four appearances for Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scoring once. His late winner against Panama secured a 1-0 victory for the Black Stars. His performances attracted interest from several clubs, with Coventry City eventually signing him from Nordsjælland in August 2026.
Yirenkyi has since made nine appearances for Coventry in the 2026/27 campaign. He faces competition from nine other nominees, including Ivory Coast’s Yan Diomande, Morocco’s Ayyoub Bouaddi and Algeria’s Ibrahim Maza.
The 2026 CAF Awards ceremony will be held in Lagos, Nigeria, on December 7.
