By Kunle Solaja.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released the shortlist for the 2025 CAF Awards (Men’s Categories) — and it is Morocco that has emerged as the overwhelming powerhouse of African football, dominating the nominations across almost every category.

From players and coaches to clubs and national teams, Morocco’s presence is unmatched, reflecting the country’s sustained investment and success at all levels of the game. Meanwhile, Nigeria, one of Africa’s traditional football giants, finds itself with only three representatives on the list — a modest showing compared to Morocco’s widespread recognition.

Morocco’s Widespread Representation

Morocco’s dominance cuts across the entire spectrum of African football. The Atlas Lions and their U-20 team are both nominated for National Team of the Year, underlining the country’s depth at both senior and youth levels.

On the Player of the Year list, Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi and RS Berkane’s Oussama Lamlioui fly the Moroccan flag, joined by other African luminaries such as Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen.

Morocco’s continental clubs also made a clean sweep in the Interclub Player and Club of the Year categories. RS Berkane and AS FAR feature prominently alongside Egyptian giants Pyramids and Al Ahly, reflecting Moroccan clubs’ continued excellence in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.

In coaching, Walid Regragui, who guided Morocco to historic World Cup and AFCON campaigns, is joined by fellow countrymen Tarik Sektioui, Moine Chaabani, and Mohamed Ouahbi, underscoring Morocco’s strong coaching pipeline.

Young Moroccan talents also dominate the Men’s Young Player of the Year list, with Abdellah Ouazane (Ajax), Othmane Maamma (Watford), and Houssam Essadak (US Touarga) among the continent’s brightest prospects.

Overall, Morocco secured more than a dozen nominations across categories — far ahead of any other nation — cementing its reputation as the new benchmark for football development in Africa.

Nigeria’s Limited Presence

In sharp contrast, Nigeria — a perennial football heavyweight — earned just three nominations. Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray) made the shortlist for Player of the Year, while Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United) earned a well-deserved nod in the Goalkeeper of the Year category for his AFCON heroics. Young defender Daniel Bameyi (NK Primorje, Slovenia) was listed among the Young Player of the Year nominees.

Conspicuously missing from the list are the Super Eagles, who failed to make the National Team of the Year shortlist despite finishing as runners-up at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Egypt and South Africa Also Strongly Represented

Behind Morocco, Egypt and South Africa also posted strong showings. Egyptian clubs Pyramids FC and Al Ahly dominated interclub categories, while South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, and national team players featured prominently across multiple lists.

CAF Awards 2025: Setting the Stage

CAF said the nominations were drawn from performances between 6 January and 15 October 2025, selected by a panel of its Technical & Development Committee, CAF Legends, coaches, and media representatives.

Winners will be announced at the CAF Awards Gala 2025, to be held later this year at a venue yet to be confirmed.

As the countdown begins, Morocco’s sweeping nominations underscore a remarkable football renaissance — while Nigeria, despite its rich pedigree, will be hoping its few nominees can salvage pride on Africa’s biggest football awards night.

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Nigeria’s dominance in African women’s football was reaffirmed on Friday as several Super Falcons and Flamingos stars made the shortlist for the 2025 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards.

Leading the charge are Rasheedat Ajibade and Esther Okoronkwo, both nominated for the CAF Women’s Player of the Year award. The duo played pivotal roles in Nigeria’s triumphant campaign at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), where the Super Falcons clinched their 10th continental title.

Ajibade, who was voted Player of the Tournament and Woman of the Match in three of Nigeria’s six matches, is among the frontrunners for the top honour. Her teammate Okoronkwo also impressed, scoring two goals and providing four assists, including a goal and an assist in the final, where she was named Woman of the Match.

They face stiff competition from Zambia’s Barbara Banda and Racheal Kundananji, Malawi’s Tabitha Chawinga and Temwa Chawinga, Morocco’s Sanaa Mssoudy and Ghizlane Chebbak, Ghana’s Portia Boakye, and Senegal’s Mame Diop.

In the Goalkeeper of the Year category, Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie, winner of the last two editions, will look to retain her crown after another stellar year between the posts.

Nigeria’s strong showing continues with both the Super Falcons and U-17 Flamingos shortlisted for Women’s National Team of the Year, while Moshood Shakirat of the Flamingos is among the nominees for Best Young Player of the Year.

On the touchline, Justin Madugu (Super Falcons) and Bankole Olowookere (Flamingos) are both nominated for Women’s Coach of the Year, further highlighting Nigeria’s influence in African women’s football.

The 2025 CAF Awards Gala will take place in Marrakech, Morocco, with the date yet to be officially announced.

Nigeria remains one of the standout nations in this year’s nominations, reflecting the country’s sustained excellence and depth in women’s football across all levels.

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BY JOSEPH ODOEKWU.

The National Chairman of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC) Samuel Ikpea has described the newly crowned African Footballer of the Year Ademola Lookman as a living legend.

Ikpea who lauded the Atalanta and Super Eagles forward following his emergence as the CAF African footballer of the year in Morocco on Monday night said only a legend could accomplish such a feat.

Amuneke took over from Yekini who won it in 1993 while Ikpeba took over from Kanu who won it in 1996.

 Ikpea remarked that such back-to-back victories by Nigeria are remarkable.

“This is the third time this feat has been accomplished and it is good for the image of Nigeria.

 “If our players continue like this it will further boost the morale of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club and we shall continue to be proud of our teams” Ikpea posited.

Ikpea who had earlier congratulated Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie for retaining her title and four other Super Falcons players for making the CAF XI also charged the trio of NFF President, the NSC Chairman and his DG to see this accomplishment as an opportunity to bring their wisdom and technical expertise into play and develop Nigeria football.

“I will describe the combination of Gusau, Dikko and Olopade as that of the Three Wise Men, they should therefore put heads together and move our football forward because our players are now making waves on the continent” he concluded.

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