Nigeria’s dominance in women’s football was once again on full display as several of its stars and teams earned major nominations for the 2025 CAF Awards.
Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, and their teammates headline a long list of Nigerian nominees announced by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Friday.
Ajibade was shortlisted for African Player of the Year, joined by her teammate Esther Okoronkwo, who shone at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco—scoring twice, assisting four times, and winning the Woman of the Match award in the final.
Ajibade, who led Nigeria to their record 10th WAFCON title, was voted Player of the Tournament and named Woman of the Match in three of six matches. The Paris Saint-Germain forward contributed a goal and two assists during the campaign.
In the Goalkeeper of the Year category, Chiamaka Nnadozie of Brighton & Hove Albion was nominated for the third year running after winning the award in the past two editions. The 24-year-old will now be aiming for a remarkable third consecutive win.
The Super Falcons are also in contention for National Team of the Year, having claimed another continental crown under head coach Justine Madugu, who is himself nominated for Women’s Coach of the Year.
Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, also made the list after going unbeaten in their World Cup qualifiers. Their coach, Bankole Olowookere, was recognized in the same category for his outstanding work with the team, while captain Shakirat Moshood earned a nomination for CAF Young Player of the Year.
Completing Nigeria’s impressive representation, Bayelsa Queens, winners of the 2025 Nigerian Women’s Football League, were nominated for Club of the Year, competing against Mamelodi Sundowns, ASFAR, TP Mazembe, and Gaborone United.
With nominations spread across nearly every major category, Nigeria has reaffirmed its position as the undisputed powerhouse of women’s football in Africa.
