Falcons Duo Ajibade and Okoronkwo Nominated for CAF Women’s Player of the Year

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has named Super Falcons stars Rasheedat Ajibade and Esther Okoronkwo among the 10 nominees for the 2025 CAF Women’s Player of the Year award.

The duo were instrumental in helping Nigeria clinch their record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title earlier this year.

Ajibade enters the running as a strong contender, having been voted Woman of the Match in three of the Falcons’ six WAFCON games and ultimately being named the best player in the entire competition.

Okoronkwo also delivered a heroic performance, scoring two goals and providing four assists throughout the tournament. Her standout moment came in the WAFCON final, where she was named Woman of the Match for her crucial goal and assist.

Their competition on the final shortlist includes the Zambian duo of Barbara Banda and Racheal Kundananji, as well as Tabitha Chawinga and Temwa Chawinga from Malawi. Morocco’s Sanaa Mssoudy and Ghizlane Chebbak, Ghana’s Portia Boakye, and Senegal’s Mame Diop complete the prestigious list.

In a separate category, Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie is nominated for the Goalkeeper of the Year prize, an award the 24-year-old has won for two consecutive years.