Super Falcons stars Rasheedat Ajibade and Chiamaka Nnadozie headline Nigeria’s nominees for the 2024 CAF Awards, as the Confederation of African Football unveiled the women’s categories ahead of the December 16 ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco.
Nigeria boasts an impressive 13 nominations across all categories, with Ajibade, an Atletico Madrid forward, and Nnadozie, a Paris FC goalkeeper, vying for the coveted Women’s Player of the Year award, currently held by compatriot Asisat Oshoala.
CAF Women’s Champions League semi-finalists Edo Queens also earned multiple nominations. Striker Emem Essien and goalkeeper Monle Oyono were shortlisted for Interclub Player of the Year, while their coach Moses Adukwu received a nod for Coach of the Year.
In the Goalkeeper of the Year category, Nnadozie and Oyono join eight others, including AS FAR’s Khadija Er-Rmichi and Fatima El Jebraoui from Morocco, as well as South African stars Andile Dlamini and Thandeka Ngcobo.
The Young Player of the Year category features Nigerian nominees Chiamaka Okuchukwu (Rivers Angels) and Flourish Sabastine (Stade de Reims, France), highlighting the nation’s bright future in women’s football.
Youth coaches Bankole Olowookere (U-17) and Chris Danjuma (U-20) were recognized in the Coach of the Year category, while Nigeria’s senior and youth teams (U-17 and U-20) made the shortlist for National Team of the Year.
Edo Queens will battle for Club of the Year against prominent contenders, including Morocco’s AS FAR, DR Congo’s TP Mazembe, and South African powerhouses Mamelodi Sundowns and the University of the Western Cape.
Nigeria’s presence extends to the men’s categories, with Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman and Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali making the five-man shortlists for their respective awards. Lookman, who has delivered stellar performances with eight goals and five assists in 13 games this season, is a favorite for the Men’s Player of the Year title.
The Super Eagles are also in the running for Men’s National Team of the Year, competing against Ivory Coast, DR Congo, South Africa, and Sudan.
Winners will be determined by votes from the CAF Technical Committee, media professionals, head coaches, and captains of member associations, as well as clubs involved in CAF Interclub competitions.
Covering achievements between January and October 2024, the awards ceremony will celebrate the progress of African football, with Nigeria aiming to maintain its dominance on the continent’s biggest stage.
