FootballNewsSports

CAF Celebrates African Women’s Football Brilliance with 2025 Awards Nominees

From Rasheedat Ajibade to Barbra Banda, CAF unveils a powerful list of nominees reflecting the growth, skill, and pride of women’s football across Africa.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the nominees for the CAF Awards 2025 Women’s categories, celebrating excellence and achievement across African women’s football between 6 January and 15 October 2025.

The annual ceremony will honour players, coaches, and teams that have made a remarkable impact during the period, spotlighting the rising dominance of African women on both continental and global stages.

A panel of experts, including members of the CAF Technical & Development Committee, seasoned coaches, CAF Legends, and selected media professionals, selected the final shortlist of ten nominees per category, evaluating performances in all major competitions.

Read Also: Faith Irabor Joins CAF Referees Committee, Becomes Nigeria’s Third-Ever Member

Women’s Player of the Year: A Fierce Contest for Continental Glory

The most anticipated category, the Women’s Player of the Year, features a stellar lineup that captures the diversity and evolution of African women’s football.

Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade (Paris Saint-Germain) and Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto), both integral to the Super Falcons’ 2024 African title triumph, lead the charge for West Africa.

Ghanaian star Portia Boakye (Hapoel Petah Tikva) brings veteran leadership, while Malawian sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga continue to inspire a new generation with their exploits at OL Lyonnes and Kansas City, respectively.

Morocco’s dynamic duo, Ghizlaine Chebbak—top scorer at the 2024 WAFCON—and Sanaa Mssoudy, represent the North African powerhouse, joined by Senegal’s Mama Diop (RC Strasbourg).

Zambia’s football continues to make waves with reigning champion Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride) and Rachael Kundananji (Bay FC), both in scintillating form in international and club football.

Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Nnadozie Eyes a Third Crown

Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton & Hove Albion), a two-time winner, aims to retain her title as the continent’s top shot-stopper. She faces strong challenges from South Africa’s Andile Dlamini and Botswana’s Sedilame Boseja, both of Mamelodi Sundowns.

The category also showcases the impressive depth of African goalkeeping talent, featuring Algeria’s Chloe N’Gazi, Congo’s Fideline Ndoy, Egypt’s Habiba Emad, Ghana’s Cynthia Konlan, Mali’s Fatoumata Karantao, Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi, and Senegal’s Adji Ndiaye.

Read Also: Ikorodu City FA Lift 1XCup Trophy in Style, Secure Ten Million Naira Prize

Women’s Interclub Player of the Year: Champions League Stars Shine

CAF’s Interclub category highlights those who stood out in continental competitions.
Players from Morocco’s AS FAR, South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, and Cote d’Ivoire’s ASEC Mimosas dominate the list, alongside rising forces from Botswana’s Gaborone United.

Names to watch include Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse, Sanaa Mssoudy, Bambanani Mbane, and Jamila Rajab, all of whom made decisive contributions for their clubs in the CAF Women’s Champions League.

Women’s Coach of the Year: Battle of Tactical Masters

The coaches’ category honours the strategists shaping African women’s football. Morocco’s Lamia Boumehdi, last year’s winner, will defend her title against South Africa’s Desiree Ellis, Zambia’s Carol Kanyemba, and Nigeria’s Bankole Olowookere—all known for their tactical innovation and player development.

Also in contention are Justin Madugu, who guided the Super Falcons to their continental title, and Jorge Vilda, who led Morocco to the WAFCON final. Other nominees include Lars Kim (Ghana), Genoveva Anonma (Equatorial Guinea), and Siaka Gigi Traoré (Côte d’Ivoire).

Read Also: Tinubu Applauds Super Eagles After 4–0 Win Over Benin Republic, Promises Full Government Support

Women’s Young Player of the Year: The Future is Bright

CAF has spotlighted ten rising stars symbolizing the next generation of African football excellence. Nigeria’s Shakirat Abidemi Moshood (Bayelsa Queens) joins a competitive list that includes Doha El Madani, Winfrida Gerald, and Mercy Chipasula, each representing the vibrant energy driving the continent’s youth football scene.

Women’s National Team of the Year: Titans and Trailblazers

Continental heavyweights Nigeria, South Africa, and Morocco are joined by fast-emerging teams like Tanzania, Mali, and Zambia U-17, highlighting a continent-wide rise in competitiveness and development.

Read Also: 1XCup 2025 Final: Ikorodu City FA Battles ISGAT in Lagos Showpiece

Women’s Club of the Year: The Best of African Excellence

Ten clubs will contest for the title of Africa’s best, led by AS FAR (Morocco), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), and Bayelsa Queens (Nigeria). Other contenders include TP Mazembe, ASEC Mimosas, Gaborone United, and 15 de Agosto—a testament to the widespread progress of women’s football on the continent.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button