CAF Shun Asisat, Other Nigerian Women Players For First Time Even As Lagos Hosts Event Dec 7
Nigeria have been left without a nominee for CAF’s Women’s Player of the Year award for the first time since Mercy Akide won the inaugural prize in 1999, ending a streak that has produced 14 Nigerian victories.
The 10-player shortlist, announced by CAF on Tuesday, includes three members of Cameroon’s first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title-winning team and Malawi’s Chawinga sisters, following a year in which the Super Falcons surrendered their continental crown and failed to qualify for the Women’s FIFA World Cup.
The omission means Nigeria will host the Dec. 7 ceremony in Lagos without a contender for an award its players have won more often than those of any other country.
While Asisat Oshoala accounts for six Nigerian wins, Perpetua Nkwocha won four and Cynthia Uwak won two.
Akide’s victories in 1999 through 2001 complete the total, with her first award presented in Johannesburg, when Nigeria claimed both awards for the first time, as Nwankwo Kanu also received the men’s honour.
Nigeria’s absence follows the Super Falcons earliest WAFCON exit, a 1-0 quarterfinal defeat to Cameroon, before a 2-1 loss to South Africa in a World Cup qualifying playoff ended their hopes of reaching Brazil 2027, ending another streak for the Falcons, who had appeared at every Women’s World Cup since the tournament began in 1991.
No Nigerian was selected for CAF’s WAFCON team of the tournament either, while Cameroon’s representation was a reflection of a markedly different campaign.
Washington Spirit midfielder Monique Ngock was named WAFCON’s best player, while Benfica goalkeeper Michaely Bihina won the goalkeeping award.
Bihina kept clean sheets throughout the knockout rounds and saved three penalties in the semifinal shootout against Morocco. Fenerbahce forward Marie Ngah Manga completes Cameroon’s contingent after scoring twice in the 3-0 final victory over Malawi.
Malawi’s run to the final and first World Cup qualification brought recognition for both Temwa Chawinga and Tabitha Chawinga. Temwa, who plays for Kansas City Current, finished as WAFCON’s leading scorer with five goals and two assists. Lyon forward Tabitha joined her sister in CAF’s team of the tournament, which also included all three Cameroonian nominees.
Zambia’s Barbra Banda, the 2024 award winner, also earned a place in that selection. Her nomination follows another productive season with Orlando Pride, where she broke the club’s regular-season scoring record by reaching 14 goals in September.
South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana is the other previous winner in contention, having claimed the prize in 2018. The Tigres forward scored four times at WAFCON, including the opening goal in the playoff victory that eliminated Nigeria from World Cup qualifying. She also has 15 goals for Tigres this year.
Ghana captain Portia Boakye, who plays for Pumas UNAM, earned her nomination after helping the Black Queens reach the quarterfinals. Ghana subsequently secured a place in the intercontinental World Cup playoffs.
Algeria’s Marine Dafeur and Morocco’s Hanane Aït El Haj complete the shortlist. Both were named in the WAFCON team of the tournament, with Dafeur helping Algeria finish third and qualify for its first Women’s World Cup.
Nigeria retains representation elsewhere at the awards, though. Edo Queens goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma is nominated for Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year, a category missing three-time winner Chiamaka Nnadozie.
Benfica forward Janet Akekoromowei and Oluwakemi Adegbuyi are contenders for the young player award, while the Super Falcons are among the 10 nominees for Women’s National Team of the Year./ESPN
