In a notable representation, seven Super Falcons players, including Asisat Oshoala, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Rasheedat Ajibade, Toni Payne, Christy Ucheibe, Osinachi Ohale, and Uchenna Kanu, have earned nominations for the prestigious CAF Player of The Year Award in the women’s categories. The CAF list highlights the dominance of Nigerian talent in women’s football.
This recognition comes after the Falcons’ remarkable performance, reaching the round of 16 in the Women’s World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand. The team showcased their strength, narrowly missing a spot in the quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by England in a penalty shootout.
At the club level, several members of the Super Falcons demonstrated outstanding prowess throughout the season.
Ajibade has been very consistent for the Falcons and has also been a key figure for Atletico Madrid. The forward scored nine goals in 28 games for the Spanish club last season.
Toni Payne has also been a consistent player for Sevilla Women. She had three goals and four assists in 28 appearances for the club last season.
Oshoala, who was also nominated for the Ballon d’Or where she finished in 20th position, helped Barcelona to the UEFA Champions League title. She also outstandingly won the Laliga, recording 21 goals and three assists in 28 appearances.
The former Robo FC player along with 29 other players will battle vie for the prestigious Player of the Year, which Oshoala claimed for a record fifth time during the last Awards Gala in July 2022 in Rabat, Morocco.
Just as in the men’s category, the best women’s goalkeeper will be rewarded for the first time to celebrate the heroic efforts of the shot-stoppers.
Ten players have been nominated for the first-ever CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award with Nnadozie one of the favourites to win the award.
Nnadozie was immense for her Paris FC side, as she helped them qualify for the Champions League group stage.
According to the African football governing body, ten nominees each have been pencilled for the Interclub Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, National Team of the Year and Young Player of the Year, limited to players not more than 21 years old.
The finallists of the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions League in Ivory Coast have each been rewarded with a place in the Club of the Year category.
The Awards Gala is to be graced by the crème de la crème of African football on December 11 in Marrakech, Morocco.