CAF AWARDS
Nigeria Gets Limited Recognition as CAF Unveils Nominees for 2025 Men’s Awards
By Kunle Solaja
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released the list of nominees for the 2025 CAF Awards (Men’s Categories), celebrating the continent’s best players, coaches, clubs, and national teams — but Nigeria’s presence on the list is notably sparse.
Despite its vast football heritage and player base across Europe and Africa, Nigeria managed only three nominations across all categories — a sharp contrast to the dominance of Morocco, Egypt, and South Africa, who led the shortlist in nearly every section.
Leading Nigeria’s limited charge is Victor Osimhen, who was nominated for African Player of the Year after a strong campaign with Turkish champions Galatasaray. He is listed alongside Africa’s elite, including Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, Cameroon’s Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi.
Stanley Nwabali, Nigeria’s standout performer at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, earned a deserved spot among the ten nominees for Goalkeeper of the Year, following a series of impressive international and club performances for Chippa United in South Africa.
The only other Nigerian name on the list is Daniel Bameyi, who was recognized among the Young Player of the Year contenders. The 18-year-old defender, now plying his trade with NK Primorje in Slovenia, continues to gain attention for his leadership and maturity at youth international level.
Conspicuously absent, however, is the Super Eagles national team, which did not make the cut for National Team of the Year, despite finishing as runners-up at the 2023 AFCON earlier in the year.
Morocco and Egypt dominate this year’s nominations, with Moroccan football — powered by clubs RS Berkane, AS FAR, and a successful national setup — appearing in nearly every category, from senior to youth levels. Egypt’s Pyramids FC and Al Ahly also feature prominently.
In total, Morocco secured more than 10 nominations, including for Player, Coach, Club, and National Team of the Year, while Nigeria’s three spots mark one of its weakest showings in recent CAF Awards history.
CAF explained that the nominations were determined by a panel of experts comprising members of its Technical and Development Committee, former legends, coaches, and media representatives, based on performances between 6 January and 15 October 2025.
The winners will be announced at the CAF Awards 2025 Gala, scheduled to take place later this year at a yet-to-be-confirmed venue.
For now, Nigerian fans will be hoping Osimhen, Nwabali, or Bameyi can deliver some redemption for the country’s limited representation at Africa’s biggest football awards night.
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Moroccan international and national team captain Achraf Hakimi has been crowned African Footballer of the Year at the 2025 CAF Awards held on Wednesday in Rabat, becoming the first defender in 52 years to win the continent’s most prestigious individual honour.
Hakimi, who plays as a right-back for Paris Saint-Germain, finished ahead of Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen in the final voting. His triumph marks a historic moment for Moroccan football, making him the first player from the North African nation to win the award since Mustapha Hadji in 1998, and the first defender to be recognised since Zaire centre-back Bwanga Tshimen in 1973.
The 2025 season was one of the best of Hakimi’s career, with the 26-year-old enjoying a trophy-filled year at PSG. He played a key role in the club’s successes across four competitions — the UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France and the UEFA Super Cup — achievements that strengthened his case as Africa’s standout footballer.
“It is really a proud moment for me to win this prestigious award,” Hakimi said during his acceptance speech. “This trophy is not just for me, but for all the strong men and women who have dreams of being a footballer in Africa. And for those that always believed in me since I was a child… I would like to thank them all.”
Morocco Dominates the Night
Hakimi’s win headlined a night in which Morocco asserted its growing influence in African football by sweeping several major categories.
Saudi-based forward Ghizlane Chebbak was named Women’s Footballer of the Year, adding to her growing list of accolades as one of the continent’s most consistent players.
In the men’s category, Yassine Bounou, the Al-Hilal and Atlas Lions goalkeeper, was crowned Goalkeeper of the Year, further underlining Morocco’s remarkable depth across both men’s and women’s football.
Nigeria’s Nnadozie Extends Her Reign
Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie claimed the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award for the third consecutive time, continuing her dominance since the category’s introduction in 2023. The 24-year-old, who recently sealed a transfer to Brighton & Hove Albion in the English Women’s Super League, remains one of Africa’s most formidable goalkeepers.
Cape Verde Earns Historic Recognition
The Coach of the Year award went to Cape Verde’s Bubista, who guided the island nation to a milestone achievement — their first-ever qualification for the FIFA World Cup, set for 2026 in the United States, Mexico and Canada. His win marks a significant moment for Cape Verdean football, symbolising the continent’s growing diversity at the highest level of competition.
The 2025 CAF Awards showcased not only individual brilliance but also the rising competitive strength across African football, with Morocco emerging as the night’s biggest winner.
All the Winners
African Player of the Year: Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain) – Winner
Goalkeeper of the Year: Yassine Bounou (Morocco / Al Hilal) – Winner
Interclub Player of the Year: Fiston Mayele (DR Congo / Pyramids) – Winner
Men’s Coach of the Year: Bubista (Cape Verde) – Winner
Young African Player of the Year: Othmane Maamma (Morocco / Watford) – Winner
Men’s National Team of the Year: Morocco U-20 – Winner
Men’s Club of the Year: Pyramids FC – Winner
African Women’s Player of the Year: Ghizlaine Chebbak (Morocco / Al Hilal) – Winner
African Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria / Brighton & Hove Albion) – Winner.
Young African Women’s Player of the Year: Doha El Madani (Morocco / AS FAR) – Winner
Women’s National Team: Nigeria – Winner
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Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie has cemented her status as Africa’s top shot-stopper after winning the Goalkeeper of the Year award for the third consecutive time at the CAF Awards 2025 held on Wednesday in Rabat, Morocco.
The accolade, presented at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, extends Nnadozie’s dominance in a category introduced only in 2023 — and one she has ruled unchallenged since its inception.
Nnadozie’s latest honour comes on the back of a remarkable year for both club and country. She played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s historic 10th Africa Women’s Cup of Nations triumph on July 26 at the Rabat Olympic Stadium, where she was named Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament and earned a place in the Team of the Tournament.
Her rising global profile was further underscored earlier in the year when she finished 5th in the inaugural Yashin Trophy for women at the France Football Ballon d’Or 2025 ceremony — the highest-ever placement by an African goalkeeper.
With this latest CAF crown, the 24-year-old continues to strengthen her reputation as a continental and global benchmark in women’s goalkeeping.
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By Kunle Solaja.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) will honour the continent’s brightest football stars this Wednesday, as the prestigious CAF Awards return to Morocco.
The ceremony, scheduled for 19h00 local time (18h00 GMT), will be held at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Rabat.
Created to recognise excellence in African football, the CAF Awards spotlight both individual brilliance and collective achievement across male and female categories. The event celebrates players, coaches, clubs, national teams, and emerging talents who have made a significant impact over the past year.
This year’s ceremony will be co-hosted by Beninese music icon Angélique Kidjo and Moroccan comedian Oualass, adding a blend of continental artistry and humour to the gala.
Guests will also enjoy performances by Moroccan singer Douaa Lahyaoui, Congolese legend Awilo Longomba, and Ghanaian Afrobeats star Fuse ODG.
A total of 12 categories will be presented on the night, including the headline honours of African Player of the Year and African Women’s Player of the Year.
However, due to the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions League in Egypt, the winners for Women’s Coach of the Year, Women’s Interclub Player of the Year, and Women’s Club of the Year will be announced at a later date.
CAF has also unveiled the top three nominees across several categories:
Men’s Categories
African Player of the Year:
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/PSG), Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool), Victor Osimhen (Nigeria/Galatasaray)
Goalkeeper of the Year:
Yassine Bounou (Morocco/Al Hilal), Munir Mohamedi (Morocco/RS Berkane), Ronwen Williams (South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns)
Interclub Player of the Year:
Mohamed Chibi (Morocco/Pyramids), Oussama Lamlioui (Morocco/RS Berkane), Fiston Mayele (DR Congo/Pyramids)
Men’s Coach of the Year:
Bubista (Cape Verde), Mohamed Ouahbi (Morocco U-20), Walid Regragui (Morocco)
Young Player of the Year:
Othmane Maamma (Morocco/Watford), Abdellah Ouazane (Morocco/Ajax), Tylon Smith (South Africa/QPR)
Men’s National Team of the Year:
Cape Verde, Morocco, Morocco U-20
Men’s Club of the Year:
Mamelodi Sundowns, Pyramids, RS Berkane
Women’s Categories
African Women’s Player of the Year:
Rasheedat Ajibade (Nigeria/PSG), Ghizlaine Chebbak (Morocco/Al Hilal), Sanaa Mssoudy (Morocco/AS FAR)
Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year:
Andile Dlamini (South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns), Khadija Er-Rmichi (Morocco/AS FAR), Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria/Brighton)
Young Women’s Player of the Year:
Shakirat Abidemi Moshood (Nigeria/Bayelsa Queens), Doha El Madani (Morocco/AS FAR), Adji Ndiaye (Senegal/AS Bambey)
Women’s National Team:
Ghana, Morocco, Nigeria
With Morocco heavily represented across numerous categories and hosting the ceremony for another year, anticipation is high as the continent awaits the crowning of Africa’s football royalty.
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