Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman and Super Falcons goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie headline Nigeria’s bid for glory at this year’s CAF Awards, as they make the final shortlist in their respective categories. The prestigious awards will take place on Monday, December 16, at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakesh, Morocco.
Chiamaka Nnadozie, the Super Falcons’ and Paris FC goalkeeper, is in contention for two major awards. She will compete for the Women’s Player of the Year title against Morocco’s Sanaa Mssoudy and Zambia’s Barbra Banda. Nnadozie is also a strong favorite to secure back-to-back wins as Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year.
Ademola Lookman faces stiff competition in the Men’s Player of the Year category. The 27-year-old will vie for the title against Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, PSG and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams. Both Lookman and Nnadozie aim to follow in the footsteps of compatriots Victor Osimhen, the current Men’s Player of the Year, and Asisat Oshoala, a record six-time winner of the women’s award.
The Super Eagles and Super Falcons have been shortlisted for the CAF National Team of the Year awards. The Super Eagles earned their nomination after a stellar AFCON campaign in Ivory Coast, where they topped their group and defeated Cameroon, Angola, and South Africa before narrowly losing to the hosts in the final. They also secured top spot in their AFCON 2025 qualifying group.
Meanwhile, the Super Falcons’ year included an Olympic campaign against tough opponents Brazil, Spain, and Japan, alongside friendly wins over Algeria and a narrow 2-1 loss to France.
Falconets and Rivers Angels forward Chiamaka Okwuchukwu has been nominated for the Women’s Young Player of the Year award. She will contend with FC Masar’s Habiba Sabry and Asfar’s Doha El Madani. Okwuchukwu impressed at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, scoring twice and providing an assist as Nigeria reached the Round of 16.
The Nigeria Women Football League champions, Edo Queens, also received recognition as finalists for the Women’s Club of the Year award. They will compete against CAF Women’s Champions League winners TP Mazembe and Asfar.
With multiple nominations across categories, Nigerian football stands poised to make a significant impact at the 2023 CAF Awards, celebrating the country’s achievements and talent on the continental stage.
