Nigeria’s football stars shone brightly on Sunday as Victor Osimhen, Rasheedat Ajibade, Chiamaka Nnadozie and Shakirat Moshood all made the final shortlist for the 2025 CAF Awards.
The Confederation of African Football unveiled the finalists ahead of the ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, November 19, in Rabat, Morocco. This year’s awards celebrate outstanding performers between January 6 and October 15, 2025.
Osimhen, who continues his impressive form at Galatasaray, is among the top three contenders for the Men’s Player of the Year award, alongside Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi.
His nomination extends Nigeria’s strong presence in the category, following Ademola Lookman’s triumph in 2024 and Osimhen’s own win in 2023.
In the women’s category, Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade—now with Paris Saint-Germain—was named a finalist for CAF Women’s Player of the Year. She is joined by Morocco’s Ghizlaine Chebbak (Al Hilal) and Sanaa Mssoudy (AS FAR), after leading Nigeria to a record-extending 10th WAFCON title.
Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, who recently joined Brighton & Hove Albion, made the final cut for Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year. She is shortlisted with Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi and South Africa’s Andile Dlamini, following an outstanding season for club and country.
Bayelsa Queens’ rising forward Shakirat Moshood also earned recognition, making the shortlist for Women’s Young Player of the Year. Her prolific season—topping the scoring chart at the WAFU B Champions League qualifiers and captaining the Flamingos to the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup second round—placed her alongside Morocco’s Doha El Madani and Senegal’s Adji Ndiaye.
CAF confirmed that additional categories, including Women’s Coach of the Year, Interclub Player of the Year and Club of the Year, will be announced after the conclusion of the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions League in Egypt. Super Falcons coach Justine Madugu is expected to feature among the top contenders.
Nigeria also featured in the Women’s Team of the Year shortlist, joining Ghana and Morocco as the standout national teams of the review period.
CAF noted that all nominees were selected by a panel comprising technical experts, legends, coaches and media professionals, based on performances across domestic, continental and international competitions.
Nigeria’s strong representation across multiple categories reflects the country’s growing influence and depth of talent in African football.