Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade has been named among the final three contenders for the 2025 CAF Women’s Player of the Year award, but her compatriot Esther Okoronkwo did not make the cut despite an impressive year on the international stage.
The Confederation of African Football unveiled the final shortlist on Sunday evening, narrowing the competition to Ajibade and two Moroccan stars, Ghizlane Chebbak and Sanaa Mssoudy.
Okoronkwo, who plays for AFC Toronto, had earlier been included in the expanded 10-woman list released by CAF.
Her omission from the final round surprised many, given her pivotal role in Nigeria’s triumphant Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign earlier this year.
She was widely praised for her performance in the championship match against hosts Morocco, where she earned the Player of the Match award after inspiring the Super Falcons’ dramatic comeback victory.
Ajibade, now with Paris Saint-Germain, heads into the final vote as one of the clear favourites.
The forward delivered a standout WAFCON campaign, finishing as both Player of the Tournament and a three-time Woman of the Match recipient in Nigeria’s run to a record-extending 10th continental crown.
Her consistency at club and country level has fueled optimism that she could reclaim the award for Nigeria.
Nigeria’s dominance in African women’s football was further underlined by Chiamaka Nnadozie’s inclusion in the final shortlist for the Goalkeeper of the Year award.
The Brighton shot-stopper is bidding to secure the title for the third consecutive year.
At just 24, Nnadozie has become a commanding presence between the posts for both her club and the Super Falcons, delivering match-saving performances throughout the WAFCON tournament.
Moshood Shakirat also earned a place on the final shortlist for the Women’s Young Player award, further highlighting the depth of emerging talent in Nigeria’s squad.
The Super Falcons themselves remain in contention for the National Team of the Year award after a memorable 2025 season in which they reclaimed the WAFCON title in dominant fashion.
This year’s CAF Awards ceremony will take place in Rabat, Morocco, on November 19.
The event is expected to draw top football executives, coaches, players, and global media as Africa celebrates its finest football achievers.
Ajibade
