Osimhen, Nnadozie, Ajibade, Falcons, Moshood Among 2025 CAF Awards Finalists

Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen and Rasheedat Ajibade have been named finalists for the 2025 CAF Player of the Year awards, with goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and Bayelsa Queens striker Shakirat Moshood also earning nods in their respective categories, Sport360NG reports.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) unveiled the final shortlist on Sunday ahead of the awards ceremony set for Wednesday, November 19, in Rabat, Morocco. The gala will recognize the continent’s standout performers from January 6 to October 15, 2025.

In the men’s category, Osimhen, who has been impressive for Galatasaray this season, is joined by Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi as finalists for the CAF African Player of the Year award. Osimhen’s inclusion continues Nigeria’s strong presence in the category, following Ademola Lookman in 2024 and Osimhen himself in 2023.

On the women’s side, Ajibade, a Paris Saint-Germain player who captained the Super Falcons to their 10th WAFCON title, faces competition from Morocco’s Ghizlaine Chebbak of Al Hilal and Sanaa Mssoudy of AS FAR for the Women’s Player of the Year award. CAF noted that these players delivered exceptional performances for both club and country during the season.

Nnadozie, now with Brighton & Hove Albion, has been shortlisted for the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award alongside Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi and South Africa’s Andile Dlamini. Her nomination follows a season of consistent and commanding displays between the posts for both her former club Paris FC and the Super Falcons.

Moshood, representing Bayelsa Queens, has earned a place on the Women’s Young Player of the Year shortlist alongside Morocco’s Doha El Madani and Senegal’s Adji Ndiaye. CAF cited her rapid development and influence in domestic and continental competitions as key reasons for her selection. The forward helped lead Bayelsa Queens to the final of the WAFU B Zonal Champions League, finishing as top scorer despite losing on penalties to ASEC Mimosas, and later captained the Flamingos to the second round of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

CAF also confirmed that several awards, including Women’s Coach of the Year, Interclub Player of the Year, and Club of the Year, will be announced after the conclusion of the CAF Women’s Champions League Egypt 2025. Falcons coach Justine Madugu is expected to feature prominently among the Coach of the Year nominees.

The Women’s Team of the Year shortlist includes Ghana, Morocco, and Nigeria, recognizing national sides that have achieved notable success during the review period.

Nominees were selected by a panel of experts including CAF technical and development committee members, experienced coaches, CAF Legends, and media representatives, who evaluated performances across all competitions.

The 2025 CAF Awards will celebrate individual brilliance as well as team achievements, highlighting the players, coaches, and clubs that have made a lasting impact on African football. Nigeria’s strong representation across multiple categories underscores the country’s depth of talent and growing influence on the continental stage.