–Fresh Facts Sports Desk
Nigeria’s dominance in women’s football has once again been recognized on the continental stage, as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Friday unveiled the nominees for the 2025 CAF Awards — with Nigerian players and teams featuring prominently across multiple categories.
Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, and the senior women’s national team headline Nigeria’s impressive list of contenders following a year of stellar performances that culminated in the country’s record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title.
Ajibade, who captained Nigeria to glory in Morocco, earned a nomination for African Women’s Player of the Year, alongside her teammate Esther Okoronkwo. The Paris Saint-Germain forward was named Player of the Tournament at WAFCON 2024 and picked up Woman of the Match awards in three of the Falcons’ six matches. She also contributed a goal and two assists to Nigeria’s title-winning campaign.
Okoronkwo, who stars for AFC Toronto in Canada, scored twice and assisted four goals during the tournament — performances that earned her the Woman of the Match accolade in the final and a spot among Africa’s elite nominees.
In the Goalkeeper of the Year category, Chiamaka Nnadozie continues to make history with her third consecutive nomination. The 24-year-old Brighton & Hove Albion shot-stopper, who has already won the award twice in a row, will be aiming for a hat-trick of victories this year.
The Super Falcons themselves have been shortlisted for National Team of the Year, while the country’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, also earned a nomination after an unbeaten run in their qualifying campaign for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
Nigeria’s dominance extends to the coaching category, where Justine Madugu, who guided the Falcons to continental glory, has been nominated for Women’s Coach of the Year. Bankole Olowookere, head coach of the Flamingos, also made the shortlist — a testament to his success in nurturing one of Africa’s most promising youth sides.
Rising star Shakirat Moshood, captain of the Flamingos, has been named among the finalists for CAF Young Player of the Year, further underscoring Nigeria’s depth of talent.
Completing the country’s strong representation, Bayelsa Queens, champions of the 2025 Nigerian Women’s Football League, have been nominated for Club of the Year. The Nigerian side will compete against continental heavyweights including Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), ASFAR (Morocco), TP Mazembe (DR Congo), and Gaborone United (Botswana).
The 2025 CAF Awards ceremony is expected to be one of the most closely watched in recent years, with Nigeria once again standing tall as a powerhouse in African women’s football.
