By Olayiwola Mercy
The Super Falcons, Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, have been nominated for National Team of the Year at the 2025 CAF Awards. This recognition comes after their impressive performance at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), where they lifted their record-extending 10th continental title.
Rasheedat Ajibade, the Super Falcons captain, has been nominated for the African Player of the Year award, alongside her teammate Esther Okoronkwo. Ajibade was named Player of the Tournament at WAFCON, where she scored once and provided two assists, helping the Super Falcons claim the championship. Okoronkwo, who plays for AFC Toronto in Canada, contributed two goals and four assists throughout the tournament, earning her the Woman of the Match award in the final.
Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has been nominated for Goalkeeper of the Year for the third consecutive year, having won the award in the last two editions. Nnadozie’s consistency and exceptional performances have been crucial to Nigeria’s defensive strength in recent tournaments.
The Super Falcons’ coach, Justine Madugu, has also been nominated for Women’s Coach of the Year after leading the team to continental glory. Additionally, Bankole Olowookere, the coach of the Flamingos, Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, has been shortlisted for the same award after guiding the team through an unbeaten qualifying campaign for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Nigeria’s U-17 team, the Flamingos, has also earned a nomination for National Team of the Year, following their impressive performance in the qualifiers. Flamingos captain Shakirat Moshood has been nominated for CAF Young Player of the Year, recognizing her leadership and standout performances in the U-17 setup.
Bayelsa Queens, champions of the 2025 Nigerian Women’s Football League, have been shortlisted for Club of the Year, competing against top African sides such as Mamelodi Sundowns, ASFAR, TP Mazembe, and Gaborone United .
