Nigerian football stars Rasheedat Ajibade and Esther Okoronkwo have been nominated for the prestigious CAF African Women Player of the Year Award, following their standout performances in the 2025 season. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) unveiled the full list of nominees for the women’s categories of the CAF Awards on Wednesday.
Ajibade, captain of the Super Falcons and forward for Paris Saint-Germain, and Okoronkwo, who plays for AFC Toronto, were instrumental in Nigeria’s triumphant campaign at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), where the team clinched its 10th continental title in July.
Also earning recognition is Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, who has been shortlisted for the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year Award. Nnadozie, currently with Brighton & Hove Albion, recently ranked fourth globally for the Yashin Trophy at the 2025 Ballon d’Or awards.
The CAF Awards ceremony, scheduled for later this year, will honour players, coaches, and teams who made significant contributions between 6 January and 15 October 2025. Nominees were selected by a panel comprising CAF Technical & Development Committee members, veteran coaches, CAF Legends, and media representatives.
Nigerian Nominees Across Categories
Women’s Player of the Year:
- Rasheedat Ajibade (Nigeria/Paris Saint-Germain)
- Esther Okoronkwo (Nigeria/AFC Toronto)
Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year:
- Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria/Brighton & Hove Albion)
Women’s Young Player of the Year:
- Shakirat Abidemi Moshood (Nigeria/Bayelsa Queens)
Women’s Coach of the Year:
- Bankole Olowookere (Nigeria U-17) Justin Madugu (Nigeria)
Women’s National Team of the Year: Nigeria Nigeria U-17
- Women’s Club of the Year: Bayelsa Queens (Nigeria)
The awards spotlight excellence across domestic, continental, and international competitions, with ten nominees selected in each category. The ceremony is expected to draw attention to the growing impact of African women’s football and its rising stars.