Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie have been announced among the final three nominees for the 2025 CAF Women’s Player of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year awards respectively, Bold Sports reports.
According to CAF on their official X (Twitter) page, Ajibade is shortlisted for the Women’s Player of the Year award alongside Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak and Sanaa Mssoudy, trimming the list from the initial 10-woman shortlist released in October.
The PSG forward enjoyed an outstanding year, leading Nigeria to a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in Morocco. Her commanding performances earned her the Player of the Tournament award as well as a place in the Team of the Tournament, establishing her as one of the clear favourites for the continental honour.
Surprisingly, Esther Okoronkwo, who was on the initial shortlist, failed to make the top three despite her standout form for club and country. The 28-year-old played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s WAFCON triumph, delivering crucial assists in the quarterfinal, semifinal and final against Zambia, South Africa and Morocco.
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Okoronkwo has also impressed at club level, helping AFC Toronto secure the league’s inaugural NSL Shield in September. She recently underlined her impact with a hat-trick in a 4–1 win over Montreal Roses, a result that sealed her team’s place in the Northern Super League final.
Goalkeeper of the Year Award
Nnadozie is one step away from clinching a historic third consecutive Goalkeeper of the Year award. The 24-year-old Brighton shot-stopper lifted the Coupe de France Féminine earlier in the year and was a standout performer during the Super Falcons’ triumphant WAFCON campaign.
She will contest the award with Khadija Er-Rmichi of Morocco and South Africa’s Andile Dlamini.
Nigeria’s presence on the shortlist extends beyond the senior stars. Rising talent Shakirat Moshood has been named among the top three contenders for the Women’s Young Player of the Year award, further highlighting the country’s growing depth in women’s football.
The Super Falcons themselves are finalists for the Women’s National Team of the Year category.
The 2025 CAF Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 19 November, in Rabat, Morocco, where Africa’s best players, coaches and teams from the past year will be celebrated.
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