Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman and Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie are leading Nigeria’s bid for honours at this year’s CAF Awards, with both players making the final shortlist for their respective categories.
Nnadozie is nominated for two awards: Women’s Player of the Year and Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year. She will compete against Morocco’s Sanaa Mssoudy and Zambia’s Barbara Banda for the former, and is a strong contender to win the Goalkeeper of the Year award for the second consecutive time.
Lookman, in the running for Men’s Player of the Year, faces stiff competition from Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, PSG’s Achraf Hakimi, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams.
Both players are hoping to succeed compatriots Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala, who won the Men’s Player of the Year and Women’s Player of the Year awards, respectively.
In addition, the Super Eagles and Super Falcons have both been shortlisted for the CAF National Team of the Year awards. The Super Eagles are nominated alongside Ivory Coast and South Africa after their strong showing in AFCON 2023, where they reached the final. Meanwhile, the Super Falcons’ nomination follows their participation in the Olympics and victories in friendly matches, despite a challenging year.
Nigerian football also boasts additional nominations, with Chiamaka Okwuchukwu of the Falconets and Rivers Angels nominated for Women’s Young Player of the Year, and Edo Queens shortlisted for Women’s Club of the Year, competing against TP Mazembe and Asfar. The winners will be announced at the CAF Awards ceremony in Marrakesh on December 16.
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