Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen and Rasheedat Ajibade have been named among the finalists for the 2025 CAF Player of the Year awards, as goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and Bayelsa Queens forward Shakirat Moshood also secured nominations in their respective categories.
The Confederation of African Football released the final shortlist on Sunday ahead of the awards gala scheduled for Wednesday, November 19, in Rabat, Morocco. The ceremony will honour Africa’s standout performers for the period between January 6 and October 15, 2025.
In the men’s category, Osimhen, currently starring for Galatasaray, will contest the African Player of the Year award alongside Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi.
His inclusion continues Nigeria’s strong run in the top category, following victories by Ademola Lookman in 2024 and Osimhen himself in 2023.
On the women’s side, Super Falcons captain Ajibade, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain and led Nigeria to a record-extending 10th WAFCON title, was named among the final three for the Women’s Player of the Year.
She is joined by Morocco’s Ghizlaine Chebbak of Al Hilal and Sanaa Mssoudy of AS FAR.
In the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year category, Nnadozie, now at Brighton & Hove Albion, made the final shortlist with Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi and South Africa’s Andile Dlamini. Her nomination crowns a season of standout performances for both her former club Paris FC and the Super Falcons.
Bayelsa Queens forward Moshood earned a place among the top three finalists for the Women’s Young Player of the Year award. She is shortlisted alongside Morocco’s Doha El Madani and Senegal’s Adji Ndiaye.
CAF credited her rapid development and influential displays domestically and continentally, including leading Bayelsa Queens to the final of the WAFU B Zonal Champions League and winning the tournament’s Golden Boot, before captaining Nigeria’s Flamingos to the second round of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
CAF noted that several categories, including Women’s Coach of the Year, Interclub Player of the Year and Club of the Year, will be announced after the conclusion of the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions League Egypt 2025.
Super Falcons coach Justine Madugu is widely expected to be among the leading contenders.
The Women’s Team of the Year shortlist features Ghana, Morocco and Nigeria, highlighting national teams that achieved notable success during the review period.
CAF said the nominees were selected by a panel comprising technical experts, coaches, CAF legends and media representatives, who assessed performances across all competitions.
The 2025 CAF Awards will celebrate both individual excellence and team achievements, reflecting a year of significant contributions from players and coaches across the continent. Nigeria’s strong representation across multiple categories underscores the country’s growing influence and depth of talent in African football.