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Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen and Rasheedat Ajibade have made the final shortlist for the 2025 CAF Player of the Year awards, alongside goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and Bayelsa Queens striker Shakirat Moshood, who have also received recognition in their respective categories.
The Confederation of African Football published the final list of nominees for the awards on Sunday, ahead of the gala ceremony on Wednesday, November 19, in Rabat, Morocco. This occasion celebrates the continent’s finest athletes for the timeframe spanning from January 6 to October 15, 2025.
In the men’s category, Osimhen, who is currently making strides at Galatasaray, is in contention with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi for the CAF African Player of the Year award.
Osimhen’s nomination signifies the continued representation of Nigeria at the forefront of the men’s field, following Ademola Lookman’s recognition in 2024 and Osimhen’s own award in 2023.
For the Women’s Player of the Year award, Nigeria’s Ajibade, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain and captain of the Super Falcons during their tenth WAFCON title victory, competes against Morocco’s Ghizlaine Chebbak of Al Hilal and Sanaa Mssoudy of AS FAR in the top three finalists.
CAF noted that these individuals exhibited outstanding performances for both their clubs and national teams throughout the season.
Nnadozie, currently with Brighton & Hove Albion, is nominated alongside Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi and South Africa’s Andile Dlamini for the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award. Her nomination follows her impressive displays in goal for both her former club, Paris FC, and the Super Falcons during the season.
Moshood, representing Bayelsa Queens, has earned recognition in the Women’s Young Player of the Year shortlist, standing alongside Morocco’s Doha El Madani and Senegal’s Adji Ndiaye.
CAF highlighted her swift growth and influence in both domestic and continental competitions as reasons for her selection.
She guided the Prosperity Girls to the WAFU B Zonal Champions League final, where the club narrowly lost in a penalty shootout to ASEC Mimosas, and she also claimed the top goalscorer title before leading the Flamingos to the second round of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
CAF additionally announced that various awards, including Women’s Coach of the Year, Interclub Player of the Year, and Club of the Year, will be revealed following the conclusion of the current CAF Women’s Champions League in Egypt 2025.
The shortlist for Women’s Team of the Year features Ghana, Morocco, and Nigeria, honouring the national teams that have seen significant success in continental tournaments during the assessment period.
CAF noted that a selection panel, comprising members of the technical and development committee, seasoned coaches, CAF Legends, and media figures, selected the nominees based on their evaluations of performances across various competitions.
The 2025 CAF Awards will recognise individual talent as well as the accomplishments of clubs and national teams, highlighting the players and coaches who have significantly impacted African football over the last year.
Nigeria’s impressive performance in several categories highlights the wealth of talent and the increasing influence of its players on the continental scene.
