Nigeria has emerged as a major contender in the women’s category of the 2025 CAF Awards, with a strong showing that includes Super Falcons stars Rasheedat Ajibade and Chiamaka Nnadozie, as well as top national teams and coaches.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Friday unveiled its list of nominees, highlighting Nigeria’s widespread impact on women’s football over the past year.
Ajibade, captain of the Super Falcons and one of Africa’s standout performers, earned a nomination for the African Player of the Year award.
She is joined by forward Esther Okoronkwo, who played a crucial role in Nigeria’s victorious campaign at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
Ajibade was named Player of the Tournament at the 2024 WAFCON and claimed Woman of the Match honors in three of Nigeria’s six games.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward recorded one goal and two assists during the tournament, helping Nigeria secure a historic 10th continental title under coach Justine Madugu.
Okoronkwo, currently playing for AFC Toronto in Canada, was equally influential, netting two goals and contributing four assists.
Her standout performance in the final earned her Woman of the Match recognition.
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In the Goalkeeper of the Year category, Chiamaka Nnadozie continues to shine, receiving a nomination for the third consecutive year.
The Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper is aiming to retain the title after winning it in the last two editions.
The Super Falcons themselves are among the nominees for National Team of the Year, following their WAFCON success.
Also in the running is the U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, who remained unbeaten through the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers in Morocco.
In the coaching category, Justine Madugu has been shortlisted for Women’s Coach of the Year, while Bankole Olowookere, who led the Flamingos through their dominant qualifying campaign, is also nominated.
Young Nigerian talent is also on the radar, with Flamingos captain Shakirat Moshood named among the contenders for CAF Young Player of the Year, in recognition of her leadership and impact at the youth level.
At the club level, Bayelsa Queens, winners of the 2025 Nigerian Women’s Football League, have been shortlisted for Club of the Year.
They face stiff competition from clubs such as Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), ASFAR (Morocco), TP Mazembe (DR Congo), and Gaborone United (Botswana).
