Nigeria’s women’s football stars, teams, and coaches have earned multiple nominations for the 2025 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards, reaffirming the nation’s status as the powerhouse of women’s football on the continent. The nominations for the women’s categories were officially unveiled on Friday.
Top Player and Goalkeeper Recognition
The list features strong Nigerian representation across the individual awards:
African Player of the Year
Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade has been shortlisted for the top individual prize, alongside her teammate Esther Okoronkwo.
- Rasheedat Ajibade (PSG Forward): Ajibade captained Nigeria to their record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in Morocco, where she was also voted Player of the Tournament and earned three Woman of the Match awards. She contributed a goal and two assists to the WAFCON success.
- Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto): Okoronkwo bagged the Woman of the Match award in the WAFCON 2024 final and impressed throughout the campaign with two goals and four assists.
Goalkeeper of the Year
Chiamaka Nnadozie of Brighton & Hove Albion continues her run of excellence, earning her third consecutive nomination in this category. The 24-year-old shot-stopper, who won the last two editions, will be aiming for a historic third win in a row.
Team and Coaching Honors
Nigerian teams and their leadership were prominently recognized across the collective categories:
- National Team of the Year: The Super Falcons earned a nomination after securing the WAFCON crown in Morocco.
- Women’s Coach of the Year: Justine Madugu was nominated after guiding the Super Falcons to glory.
- U-17 Recognition: Nigeria’s U-17 side, the Flamingos, received a nomination for National Team of the Year following an unbeaten World Cup qualifying campaign. Their coach, Bankole Olowookere, also received a nod for Coach of the Year.
- Young Player of the Year: Flamingos captain Shakirat Moshood made the shortlist for the CAF Young Player of the Year.
- Club of the Year: Bayelsa Queens, winners of the 2025 Nigerian Women’s Football League, received a nomination and will compete against continental giants like Mamelodi Sundowns and ASFAR.
Nigeria’s strong showing across nearly every category cements its reputation as the powerhouse of women’s football in Africa.
Source: Africa Publicity
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