Nigeria dominate 2025 CAF women’s awards shortlist

Nigeria’s dominance in African women’s football has been reflected in the 2025 CAF Awards nominations, with Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, and several national teams making the shortlist in multiple categories, Sport360NG reports.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) released the nominees on Friday, and Nigerian representatives featured prominently across nearly every women’s category.

Ajibade, who captained the Super Falcons to a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in Morocco last year, is among the contenders for African Women’s Player of the Year. She is joined by her international teammate Esther Okoronkwo, who was named Player of the Match in the 2024 WAFCON final.

Ajibade, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain, was voted Player of the Tournament at WAFCON 2024 after delivering three Woman of the Match performances in six games. The dynamic forward scored once and registered two assists during Nigeria’s triumphant campaign.

Okoronkwo, currently with AFC Toronto in Canada, was equally instrumental, contributing two goals and four assists throughout the tournament.

In the Goalkeeper of the Year category, Chiamaka Nnadozie of Brighton & Hove Albion earned a third consecutive nomination. The 24-year-old has already claimed the title twice in a row and will look to make it three straight wins this year.

The Super Falcons have also been shortlisted for National Team of the Year after reclaiming continental supremacy under head coach Justine Madugu. Nigeria’s U-17 side, the Flamingos, join them in the same category, following an unbeaten run in their FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign.

Madugu himself has been nominated for Coach of the Year (Women) after guiding the Falcons to another historic WAFCON crown. Flamingos boss Bankole Olowookere is also recognised in the same category for his success in building a formidable youth side.

Flamingos captain Shakirat Moshood has been named among the finalists for CAF Young Player of the Year, rounding off another strong individual showing for Nigerian football.

Completing the country’s impressive list of nominees, Bayelsa Queens, champions of the 2025 Nigerian Women’s Football League, have earned a spot in the Club of the Year category. The team will face competition from Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), ASFAR (Morocco), TP Mazembe (DR Congo) and Gaborone United (Botswana), among others.