D-Day: Can Nigeria Achieve Another Historic Double at the CAF Awards?

With anticipation building for the prestigious CAF Awards, Nigerian athletes and teams are poised to make a significant impact across multiple categories.

 

Top Contenders for Player of the Year

 

Ademola Lookman is in contention for the Men’s Player of the Year award, facing stiff competition from Africa’s finest. On the women’s side, Chiamaka Nnadozie represents Nigeria as a nominee for the Women’s Player of the Year, alongside South Africa’s Andile Dlamini and Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi.

 

Rising Talents in the Spotlight

 

Former junior international Chiamaka Okwuchukwu is a strong contender for the Women’s Young Player of the Year award. She is up against Egypt’s Habiba Sabry and Morocco’s Doha El Madani. Notably, Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala won the inaugural title in this category back in 2021.

 

National Team and Club Recognition

 

Following their AFCON podium finish, Nigeria’s Super Eagles are vying for the Men’s National Team of the Year, competing with Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa. The Super Falcons, Africa’s top-ranked women’s team, will battle Morocco and South Africa for the Women’s National Team of the Year, a title they currently hold.

 

In club football, Nigeria’s Edo Queens have been shortlisted for the Women’s Club of the Year award, alongside TP Mazembe of DR Congo and Morocco’s AS FAR.

 

A Potential Historic Double?

 

Fans eagerly await the possibility of Ademola Lookman and Chiamaka Nnadozie replicating Nigeria’s historic double wins in the Player of the Year categories, as seen with Nwankwo Kanu and Mercy Akide-Udoh in 1999 and Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala in 2023.

 

Full List of Award Categories Featuring Nigerian Nominees

 

Men’s Player of the Year: Ademola Lookman

 

Women’s Player of the Year: Chiamaka Nnadozie

 

Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year

 

Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Chiamaka Nnadozie

 

Men’s Young Player of the Year

 

Women’s Young Player of the Year: Chiamaka Okwuchukwu

 

Men’s National Team of the Year: Super Eagles

 

Women’s National Team of the Year: Super Falcons

 

Men’s Club of the Year

 

Women’s Club of the Year: Edo Queens

 

Men’s Coach of the Year

 

Women’s Coach of the Year

 

Men’s Interclub Player of the Year

 

Women’s Interclub Player of the Year

 

Goal of the Year

Looking Ahead

 

As the ceremony draws closer, all eyes will be on Nigerian representatives to see if they can bring home the honors and cement their legacy in African football history.