Nigerian female footballers are set to be the star attraction at the 2025 CAF Awards, with players and the national team featuring prominently across the final shortlists released by the Confederation of African Football on Monday. The much anticipated awards ceremony will take place this Wednesday in Rabat, Morocco, kicking off at 19h00 local time (18h00 GMT).
The Battle for Player of the Year
The prestigious Women’s Player of the Year award will see Super Falcons’ Captain, Rasheedat Ajibade, face stiff competition from two Moroccan talents: Ghizlaine Chebbak, the Al Hilal star, and Sanaa Mssoudy of AS FAR. Ajibade’s consistent performance for both club and country has cemented her place among the continent’s elite, making her a strong contender for the top honour.
Goalkeeper of the Year: Nnadozie Aims for a Hat-Trick
In the CAF Goalkeeper of the Year category, Nigeria and Brighton’s safe hands, Chiamaka Nnadozie, is aiming for an unprecedented achievement: winning the award for the third consecutive time, following her deserved recognition in 2023 and 2024.
She is challenged by South Africa’s Andile Dlamini, the Mamelodi Sundowns shot-stopper. Dlamini secures her nomination through unwavering consistency and exceptional presence for both her club and the national team, despite her club’s recent challenges. Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi (AS FAR) completes the final three. Er-Rmichi’s impressive career longevity, composure in the penalty area, and four consecutive Moroccan Women’s Championship Goalkeeper of the Year awards solidify her nomination.
Young Talent and Team Excellence
Nigeria’s talent extends to the youth level, with Shakirat Abidemi Moshood of Bayelsa Queens firmly in the running for the Women’s Young Player of the Year. Moshood’s rise has been marked by explosive talent and rapid development, evidenced by her captaincy of the Flamingos, where she consistently demonstrates maturity and impact far beyond her age.
Finally, the Super Falcons are strong contenders for the Women’s National Team of the Year. As record winners of Africa’s most prestigious Women’s Football title, with ten African championships to their name—including their 10th WAFCON title recently secured in Morocco—the Super Falcons remain the definitive benchmark for excellence. Their deep talent pool and fierce competitive mentality keep them firmly among the continent’s elite. They will compete against Ghana and Morocco for this team honour.
