Nigeria will be well represented at the 2025 CAF Awards scheduled for 19 November 2025 (tonight), with exceptional nominations in both the men’s and women’s categories.
The nation’s football stars, clubs, and coaches have earned special recognition following a year of exceptional performances at domestic, continental, and global levels.
Men’s Player of the Year : Victor Osimhen
Victor Osimhen has been nominated for the CAF Men’s Player of the Year award after an extraordinary campaign with Galatasaray.
The Nigerian striker led the club to a historic double winning both the Turkish League title and the Turkish Cup.
He finished as the league’s golden boot winner and set a new record as the highest scoring foreign player in a single Turkish league season with 37 goals.
Victor Osimhen also played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Despite injuries that kept him out of significant parts of the World Cup qualifying series, he still produced an impressive eight goals and one assist in seven matches.
He is nominated alongside Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi, creating a competitive field for the prestigious award.
Women’s Best Player of the Year: Rasheedat Ajibade
Rasheedat Ajibade has earned a nomination for the Women’s Player of the Year award following a standout year for club and country.
As captain of the Super Falcons, she led Nigeria to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title and was voted the Best Player of the Tournament.
Her brilliant performances for Atlético Madrid also secured her a well-deserved move to a new club, PSG femininesin France.
Goalkeeper of the Year: Chiamaka Nnadozie Targets Hatrick
Chiamaka Nnadozie continues to dominate the goalkeeping category, earning yet another nomination for CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year.
She was instrumental in Nigeria’s Super Falcons WAFCON victory, keeping four clean sheets as the Super Falcons marched to their tenth continental title.
Already a two-time winner of the award, she is on course for a third consecutive crown.
At club level, Nnadozie enjoyed a remarkable season, helping Paris FC lift the French Cup with a memorable victory over PSG before joining Brighton & Hove Albion in the WSL.
Young Player of the Year: Shakirat Moshood
Shakirat Abidemi Moshood, captain of Nigeria’s U17 women’s team, has been acknowledged following her impressive showing at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.
She led the Flamingos to a Round of 16 finish and scored during the tournament, cementing her reputation as one of Nigeria’s brightest young prospects.
Club of the Year : Bayelsa Queens Earn Continental Recognition
Bayelsa Queens secured a well-deserved nomination for the CAF Women’s Club of the Year award.
The Nigerian champions stand proudly alongside African powerhouses such as AS FAR of Morocco, Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, and ASEC Mimosas of Ivory Coast.
2020 CAF Awards: Women’s National Team of the Year
Super Falcons Maintain Continental Dominance
The Super Falcons have been nominated for Women’s National Team of the Year after a historic season in which they won their tenth AFCON title, remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament.
Their campaign also secured qualification for next year’s edition with a decisive victory over Benin Republic. A 3-1 aggregate victory also sealed the champions for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, Brazil.
Nigeria’s U17: The Flamingos
Nigeria’s U17 women’s team the Flamingos were also nominated in the Women’s Team of the Year category after reaching the Round of 16 at the 2025 U17 Women’s World Cup, led and coached by Bankole Oloowokere.
The 2022 bronze medallists Nigeria were eliminated in the Round of 16 of after falling to a 4-0 defeat Italy at the 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, in October.
2025 CAF Awards: Women’s Coach of the Year
Super Falcons’ Justin Madugu
Super Falcons head coach, Justin Madugu received a nomination for CAF Women’s Coach of the Year after guiding the Super Falcons to their tenth WAFCON triumph in his very first major tournament as head coach.
His exceptional leadership also earned him a nomination in the global Balon d’ Or Coach of the Year category, where ranked
Bankole Olowookere Recognized for Women’s U17 Success
Bankole Olowookere has been acknowledged for his work with the Nigerian U17 women’s team, whom he led to the Round of 16 at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.
Olowookere also led the team to bronze medal success at the 2022 version of the U17 Women’s World Cup.
Full list of Nigerian Nominations at the 2025 CAF Awards
Men’s Player of the Year
- Victor Osimhen (Nigeria/Galatasaray)
Women’s Best Player of the Year
- Rasheedat Ajibade (Nigeria/Paris Saint Germain)
Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year
- Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria/Brighton)
Women’s Young player of the Year
- Shakirat Abidemi Moshood (Nigeria/Bayelsa Queens)
Women’s coach of the Year
- Justin Madugu- Super Falcons
- Bankole Olowookere- U17 women’s team
Women’s Club of the Year
Women’s National Team of the Year
- Nigeria (Super Falcons)
- Nigeria U17 (Flamingo)
