Moroccan women's football continues to make its presence felt across the African continent, with several members of the Lionesses of the Atlas receiving nominations for the CAF Awards 2026.
The Confederation of African Football has unveiled the first batch of nominees in the women's categories, with Hanane Ait El Haj leading the Moroccan representation after being shortlisted for the prestigious Women's Player of the Year award, widely recognised as the African Women's Ballon d'Or.
The nominations provide another moment of recognition for Morocco's growing influence in women's football, following the national team's fourth-place finish at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations and qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil.
Hanane Ait El Haj Among Africa's Elite
The biggest individual recognition goes to Hanane Ait El Haj, the vice-captain of the Moroccan national team and the only Moroccan nominated in the Women's Player of the Year category.
She faces strong competition from some of the continent's most recognisable talents, including Zambia's Barbra Banda, Malawi's Temwa Chawinga and Cameroon's emerging star Michaely Bihina.
Banda and Chawinga have also enjoyed international recognition, finishing 18th and 10th respectively in the 2026 Ballon d'Or France Football rankings, according to the supplied report.
For Ait El Haj, the nomination represents an important individual milestone and another opportunity to highlight the quality of Moroccan players competing at the highest level.
She will also be hoping to follow in the footsteps of her national-team captain, Ghizlane Chebbak, who won the previous edition of the African Women's Player of the Year award.
Kautar Azraf and Khadija Er-Rmichi Also Recognised
Morocco's representation extends beyond the main individual category.
Kautar Azraf, who plays for FC Barcelona, has been nominated for the Young Player of the Year award, recognising her potential and progress within one of Europe's most prestigious football environments.
Meanwhile, Khadija Er-Rmichi, goalkeeper for AS FAR and the Moroccan national team, is among the nominees for Goalkeeper of the Year.
Her inclusion reflects the importance of her contribution to Moroccan women's football, with her experience and performances making her one of the country's established figures between the posts.
These nominations underline the growing presence of Moroccan talent across different positions and generations.
Morocco's Lionesses Nominated for National Team of the Year
The Moroccan national team has also been shortlisted for the Women's National Team of the Year award.
The Lionesses of the Atlas are among the nominees alongside Algeria, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria and South Africa.
The recognition follows a significant year for the Moroccan side. Finishing fourth at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations and securing qualification for the World Cup in Brazil represented another important step in the team's development.
For Morocco, the nomination is recognition not only of individual performances but also of the collective progress achieved by the national team.
More CAF Awards Nominations Still to Come
The CAF has not yet unveiled all the nominees for the 2026 awards.
With the CAF Women's Champions League 2026 currently taking place in Ismailia, Egypt, the governing body is expected to announce the remaining shortlists after the competition concludes.
These will include the categories for Club of the Year, Interclub Player of the Year and Coach of the Year, among others.
The additional nominations could provide further opportunities for Moroccan clubs and individuals to receive continental recognition.
Lagos Set to Host African Football's Biggest Celebration
The CAF Awards 2026 ceremony is scheduled to take place on Monday, December 7, in Lagos, Nigeria.
For Moroccan football, the nominations represent another encouraging sign of the country's growing influence in the women's game.
With Ait El Haj competing for the continent's highest individual honour, Azraf and Er-Rmichi recognised in their respective categories, and the national team shortlisted for Team of the Year, Morocco has several reasons to look forward to the ceremony.
The Lionesses have already made history on the pitch. Now, Morocco's stars have another opportunity to shine on Africa's biggest individual football stage.