Nigeria’s Ajibade, Nnadozie Make CAF Women’s Player of the Year Shortlist
Oshoala misses out on nomination for first time in decade as African football body reveals top 10
In a surprising development, Nigerian football star Asisat Oshoala has been left out of the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) Women’s Player of the Year award shortlist for the first time in ten years. The announcement came as CAF unveiled its 10-name shortlist for the 2024 awards on Wednesday night.
Nigeria maintains strong representation through Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, who join an impressive list of African talent competing for the prestigious award. The shortlist includes Burundi’s Sandrine Niyonkuru, Malawian sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga, Morocco’s Sanaa Mssoudy, South African duo Jermaine Seoposenwe and Thembi Kgatlana, and Zambian stars Barbara Banda and Racheal Kundananji.
The 2024 CAF Awards, scheduled for December 16 in Marrakech, Morocco, will also recognize excellence in other categories, including the Interclub Women’s Player of the Year. Six of the ten nominees in this category are currently participating in the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions League in Morocco.
The winners will be determined through a voting process involving the CAF Technical Committee, media professionals, and head coaches and captains of member associations, as well as clubs participating in CAF Interclub competitions. The awards will consider achievements from January 2024 to October 2024.
In the coaching category, emerging talents like Kenya’s Mildred Cheche, who led her country’s U-17 team to their first FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualification, and Thinasonke Mbuli, who guided UWC to a historic CAF Women’s Champions League appearance, are among the nominees.
