The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially announced the nominees for the 2025 CAF Awards in the women’s categories, celebrating the best talents and teams across the continent.
According to a statement released on CAF’s official website on Friday, the shortlist covers seven major categories — African Player of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, Interclub Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, National Team of the Year, Club of the Year, and Young Player of the Year.
Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade and Esther Okoronkwo are among the top contenders for the prestigious African Player of the Year award. They will compete against current African best player Barbara Banda (Zambia), Portia Boakye (Ghana), Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi), Ghizlane Chebbak (Morocco), Mama Diop (Senegal), Sanaa Mssoudy (Morocco), Temwa Chawinga (Malawi), and Rachael Kundananaji (Zambia).
In the Goalkeeper of the Year category, Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie earned a deserved nomination alongside Chloe Ngazi, Sedilame Boseja, Fideline Ngoy, Habiba Emad, Cynthia Konlan, Fatoumata Karentao, Khadija Er-Rmichi, Adji Ndiaye, and Andile Dlamini.
For the Interclub Player of the Year, the nominees include Gadny Adiwe Ontlametse, Maungo Maponga, Ami Diallo, Habibou Ouedraogo, Ana Maria Nchama, Sanaa Mssoudy, Oumou Kone, Doha El Madani, Bambanani Mbane, and Jamila Rajab.
The Young Player of the Year category features promising stars such as Habiba Essam, Habiba Sabry, Stella Nyamekye, Doha El Madani, Shakirat Moshood, Adji Ndiaye, Ester Maseke Marwa, Winfrida Gerald, Mercy Chipasula, and Ruth Mukoma.
Nigeria’s football dominance is further highlighted in the National Team of the Year category, with both the Super Falcons and Nigeria U17 making the shortlist. Other nominees include Cameroon U17, Ghana, Ivory Coast U17, Mali, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia U17.
In the Coach of the Year (Women) category, Nigeria’s Justine Madugu and Bankole Olowookere will battle alongside Adelaide Koudougnon, Siaka Gigi Traore, Lamia Boumehdi, Genoveva Anonman, Jorge Vilda, Kim Bjorkegren, Desiree Ellis, and Carol Kanyemba.
For Women’s Club of the Year, Bayelsa Queens FC represents Nigeria on a list that includes Gaborone United, ASEC Mimosas, TP Mazembe, USFAS Bamako, ASFAR, DE Agosto, Mamelodi Sundowns, Aigles De La Medina, and JKT Queens.
The CAF Awards ceremony will honour the outstanding achievements of African footballers and teams over the past year, highlighting the continued growth and excellence of the women’s game on the continent.
