Reigning African Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen, returns to the spotlight tonight. He leads a strong group of Nigerian stars in Rabat, Morocco, for the 2025 CAF Awards.
The ceremony recognizes the continent’s best performers from January 6 to October 15, 2025. Tonight promises high stakes. Osimhen aims to defend his 2023 crown. However, he faces tough opposition from Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi.
Beyond the men’s category, the Super Falcons are also well-represented. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie are chasing history in the women’s categories.
The Battle for the Men’s Crown
The final list for Men’s Player of the Year features three titans.
- Victor Osimhen (Nigeria/Galatasaray): Osimhen enters the fray with incredible stats. He recorded 37 goals and six assists in 41 games. His prolific form helped Galatasaray secure a domestic double.
- Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool): The “Egyptian King” has a strong case. He guided Liverpool to the Premier League title in the 2024/25 season. Additionally, Salah tallied 29 goals and 18 assists in 38 starts.
- Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/PSG): The Moroccan right-back provides stiff competition. Hakimi enjoyed a trophy-laden season. He lifted the UEFA Champions League and the French Ligue 1 title with PSG. Furthermore, he reached the FIFA Club World Cup final.
Super Falcons Stars Eye Top Prizes
In the women’s category, Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade is a top contender for Player of the Year. She recently moved to PSG Women from Atletico Madrid. Notably, Ajibade captained the Super Falcons to their historic 10th WAFCON title. She competes against Moroccan duo Ghizlaine Chebbak and Sanaa Mssoudy.
Meanwhile, Chiamaka Nnadozie is primed for a potential “hat-trick.” The goalkeeper is aiming for her third consecutive Goalkeeper of the Year honor.
Her nomination follows a brilliant season. She inspired Paris FC to their first title in nearly 20 years before moving to Brighton. Her rivals for the award are Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi and South Africa’s Andile Dlamini.
Rising Stars and Team Honors
Nigeria’s dominance extends to the youth categories. Shakirat Moshood, captain of the Flamingos, is shortlisted for Women’s Young Player of the Year.
Moshood earned her spot through rapid development. She led Bayelsa Queens to the WAFU B Zonal Champions League final and finished as the top scorer. Additionally, she captained the national U-17 team to the World Cup second round.
Finally, the Super Falcons are nominated for Women’s National Team of the Year. They are battling Ghana and Morocco for the prize.
Armenian Dram
Ghana Cedi
Gambian Dalasi
Guinea Franc
Nigerian Naira
CFA Franc BEAC
