Ajibade, Nnadozie lead Nigeria’s nominees for 2024 CAF Awards

Super Falcons stars Rasheedat Ajibade and Chiamaka Nnadozie headline Nigeria’s nominees for the 2024 CAF Awards, as the African football governing body unveiled the women’s category nominees ahead of the December 16 ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco.

Nigeria dominated the nominations with 13 representatives across various categories, including Ajibade, the Atletico Madrid forward, and Nnadozie, the Paris FC goalkeeper. Both are contenders for the prestigious Women’s Player of the Year award, currently held by Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala.

Edo Queens, who reached the semi-finals of the CAF Women’s Champions League, earned multiple nominations. Striker Emem Essien and goalkeeper Monle Oyono were shortlisted for Interclub Player of the Year, while their coach, Moses Adukwu, received a nomination for Coach of the Year.

Nnadozie faces stiff competition in the Goalkeeper of the Year category from Oyono and eight other contenders, including Morocco’s AS FAR duo Khadija Er-Rmichi and Fatima El Jebraoui, as well as South Africa’s Andile Dlamini and Thandeka Ngcobo.

The future of Nigerian women’s football looks promising, with Chiamaka Okuchukwu of Rivers Angels and Flourish Sabastine of French side Stade de Reims nominated for Young Player of the Year.

Nigeria’s commitment to youth development is also recognized, with Bankole Olowookere (U-17) and Chris Danjuma (U-20) nominated for Coach of the Year. The country’s senior and youth teams (U-17 and U-20) have also been shortlisted for National Team of the Year.

Edo Queens are in the running for Club of the Year, competing against continental giants such as AS FAR (Morocco), TP Mazembe (DR Congo), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), and University of the Western Cape (South Africa).

The Nigerian influence extends to the men’s categories, with Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman and Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali both making the shortlist for their respective awards. Lookman, who has scored eight goals and provided five assists in 13 games this season, is a strong contender for Player of the Year due to his exceptional performances for both club and country.

The Super Eagles are also in contention for Men’s National Team of the Year, alongside Ivory Coast (AFCON champions), DR Congo, South Africa, and Sudan.

The winners will be decided by votes from the CAF Technical Committee, media professionals, head coaches and captains of member associations, as well as clubs participating in the group stages of CAF Interclub competitions.

The awards ceremony, which will honour achievements from January to October 2024, promises to be a celebration of women’s football’s continued growth across Africa, with Nigeria aiming to maintain its dominant presence on African football’s biggest night.