Ajibade, Nnadozie Nominated for CAF Women’s Player of the Year Award; Oshoala Misses Out

Nigerian football stars Rasheedat Ajibade and Chiamaka Nnadozie have been shortlisted for the prestigious CAF Women’s Player of the Year Award, while Asisat Oshoala, a five-time winner of the accolade, surprisingly missed out on the 2024 nominees list. The announcement was made on Wednesday, drawing reactions across the football community.

Ajibade, who plays as a forward for Atlético Madrid, has been recognized for her impressive performances at both the club and international levels. She was instrumental in the Super Falcons’ run to the Round of 16 at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and has continued to excel in the Spanish Primera División Femenina.

Nnadozie, Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper and a standout player for Paris FC in the French league, also earned her nomination following stellar displays that included helping her club secure a spot in the UEFA Women’s Champions League and contributing to Nigeria’s success on the continental stage.

The omission of Oshoala, widely regarded as one of Africa’s greatest female footballers, has raised eyebrows. Despite an impressive season with FC Barcelona Femení, where she helped the team clinch the UEFA Women’s Champions League and the Spanish league title, Oshoala was not included among the nominees. Analysts have speculated that her omission may be due to injury challenges that limited her playing time during key parts of the season.

In addition to individual nominations, Nigeria’s Edo Queens received a nod in the CAF Women’s Club of the Year category, recognizing their achievements in domestic and regional competitions.

The CAF Awards celebrate the best of African football, with winners set to be announced on December 11, 2024, in Marrakesh, Morocco. The ceremony will honor exceptional players, coaches, and teams who have made significant contributions to African football over the past year.

Ajibade and Nnadozie’s nominations underscore the growing recognition of Nigerian talent on the international stage. Football fans across the continent will be eagerly awaiting the announcement to see if either of the two players can claim the coveted title.