Nigeria To Host CAF Awards As Africa’s Football Calendar Takes Shape
By TAYO TAIWO (T. T.) OLUWOLE
THE Confederation of African Football (CAF) has approved key dates for major continental competitions and events as it finalises its 2026–2030 competitions calendar.
Following a meeting of its Executive Committee chaired by CAF President Patrice Motsepe, the body confirmed Lagos as the host city for the 2026 CAF Awards on 7 December.
Meanwhile, Abuja will host the CAF Ordinary General Assembly on 21 November. The back-to-back events will bring football administrators, officials and leading players together in Nigeria within a three-week period.
The CAF Strategy Conference will also take place in Sal, Cabo Verde, from 7 to 9 October. The meeting will focus on the development, governance and future direction of African football.
Meanwhile, CAF has fixed 1 to 15 November for the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League.
The competition will bring together Africa’s leading women’s club sides as they battle for continental honours.
In another major decision, Senegal will stage the 2026 CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations from 28 November to 6 December.
The tournament will feature leading beach soccer nations from across the continent.
Beyond the individual competitions, CAF also approved its 2026–2030 competitions calendar. The framework is expected to provide greater structure for the scheduling and organisation of CAF tournaments over the next four years.
For Nigeria, the decisions create a particularly busy period on the continental football calendar.
With Lagos hosting the CAF Awards and Abuja preparing for the Ordinary General Assembly, the country will become a major meeting point for African football stakeholders.
At the same time, the Women’s Champions League and Beach Soccer AFCON will add further competition to an increasingly active end-of-year football schedule.
CAF said the decisions reflect its broader efforts to strengthen competitions, improve football development and expand the reach of the sport across Africa.
