Ajibade, Okoronkwo Lead Falcons’ CAF Nominations

Nigeria’s Super Falcons captain, Rasheedat Ajibade, and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, alongside the senior women’s national team, have been nominated for the 2025 CAF Awards due to their exceptional performances in the previous year.

The Confederation of African Football announced the nominees for the women’s categories on Friday, with Nigerian players and teams dominating the shortlist.

Ajibade is in contention for the African Player of the Year award, joined by her Super Falcons teammate Esther Okoronkwo, who received the Woman of the Match honour during the final of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations held in Morocco.

Ajibade was awarded Player of the Tournament at the 2024 WAFCON, where she was named Woman of the Match three times in Nigeria’s six matches as the team secured their record-extending 10th continental title. The Paris Saint-Germain forward scored one goal and provided two assists for coach Justine Madugu’s squad throughout the tournament.

Okoronkwo, representing AFC Toronto in Canada, scored two goals and assisted four others in the competition, gaining recognition for her significant contributions to Nigeria’s victory.

In the Goalkeeper of the Year category, Nnadozie, who plays for Brighton Hove & Albion in England, has received a nomination for the third consecutive year. The 24-year-old has claimed the award for the past two years and is now aiming for a third.

The Super Falcons have been nominated for the National Team of the Year award after winning their tenth continental title under Madugu’s guidance.

Ajibade, Okoronkwo Lead Falcons’ CAF Nominations — Super falcons captain, Chiamaka Nnadozie. Credit: CNN

Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, has also received a nomination in the same category following their undefeated streak in qualifying for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

Madugu has been shortlisted for Women’s Coach of the Year after leading the Super Falcons to continental success.

Meanwhile, Flamingos coach Bankole Olowookere has also been recognised for his role in developing one of Africa’s most exciting youth teams, as the Flamingos maintained an unbeaten record during their World Cup qualifying campaign.

Flamingos captain Shakirat Moshood has been included among the finalists for CAF Young Player of the Year.

Adding to Nigeria’s strong presence at the awards, Bayelsa Queens, who won the 2025 Nigerian Women’s Football League, have secured a nomination for Club of the Year. The Queens will face competition from prestigious clubs such as South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, Morocco’s ASFAR, DR Congo’s TP Mazembe, and Botswana’s Gaborone United, among others.

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Tope Oke

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