Osimhen, Ajibade Make CAF Awards Final Shortlist
CAF Announces 2025 Award Finalists
Victor Osimhen and Rasheedat Ajibade have made the final shortlist for the 2025 CAF Player of the Year awards. CAF released the list on Sunday ahead of the prestigious gala ceremony set for Wednesday, November 19, in Rabat, Morocco. The awards recognize the continent’s top footballers from January 6 to October 15, 2025.
Men’s CAF Player of the Year Nominees
Osimhen is a finalist for the CAF African Player of the Year award. The Galatasaray forward joins Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint-Germain. Osimhen’s continued excellence has helped Nigeria maintain a strong presence in this category. He won the award in 2023, and Ademola Lookman was nominated in 2024.
Women’s CAF Player of the Year Nominees
Ajibade, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain, also earned a spot in the CAF African Women’s Player of the Year shortlist. She led the Super Falcons to their 10th WAFCON title. Ajibade joins Morocco’s Ghizlaine Chebbak and Sanaa Mssoudy of AS FAR on the final list.
CAF recognized these players for their exceptional performances at both the club and national team levels.
Goalkeeper and Young Player Recognition
Chiamaka Nnadozie, now playing for Brighton & Hove Albion, is a finalist for Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year. She joins Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi and South Africa’s Andile Dlamini. Nnadozie received this nomination after showcasing her skills for both Paris FC and the Super Falcons.
Shakirat Moshood of Bayelsa Queens earned a nomination for Women’s Young Player of the Year. Her rapid rise in domestic and continental competitions played a key role in her inclusion. Moshood’s performance in the WAFU B Zonal Champions League and her leadership in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup were notable highlights of the season.
Read Also
Alleged Medical Report Forgery: Nnamdi Kanu Sues NMA, Seeks N50bn
Inside the $1.58B US-Nigeria Security Alliance Under Strain
Other Categories and Future Announcements
CAF will announce several other awards after the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions League Egypt 2025 concludes. These include Women’s Coach of the Year, Interclub Player of the Year, and Club of the Year. Justine Madugu, the Super Falcons’ coach, is a strong contender for the Coach of the Year award.
The shortlist for Women’s Team of the Year includes Ghana, Morocco, and Nigeria. These teams achieved significant success in continental competitions during the review period. CAF’s panel of experts, including coaches, CAF Legends, and media representatives, selected the nominees based on their performances.
Celebrating Excellence in African Football
The 2025 CAF Awards will celebrate the continent’s top players, coaches, and teams. These awards highlight the contributions of individuals who have made a lasting impact on African football. Nigeria’s strong showing across multiple categories reflects the growing influence of its players on the continental stage.
