Osimhen, Ajibade, 6 other Nigerians battle for honours as 2025 CAF awards ceremony gets date, venue

The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has provided more details regarding the 2025 CAF Awards ceremony, Soccernet.ng reports.

The continent's number-one football body has announced that the 2025 CAF Awards ceremony will take place in Rabat, Morocco, on Wednesday, 19 November, starting at 7:00 pm local time (18:00 GMT).

The glamorous event will once again celebrate the finest African footballers, coaches, and teams who have excelled for club and country over the past year.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe and several top officials from across the continent are expected to attend the ceremony.

It will mark the third consecutive year Morocco hosts the prestigious awards.

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2025 CAF awards: Nigerian stars dominate

Nigeria will be strongly represented in Rabat, with Victor Osimhen, Rasheedat Ajibade, Esther Okoronkwo, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Stanley Nwabali, Daniel Bameyi, Shakirat Moshood, Justine Madugu, and Bankole Olowookere all shortlisted across different categories.

Victor Osimhen, who has excelled at Galatasaray, is seeking to reclaim the CAF African Player of the Year award he won in 2023. The Nigerian striker faces stiff competition from Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool), Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/PSG), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea/Borussia Dortmund), Denis Bouanga (Gabon/LAFC), and Zambo Anguissa (Cameroon/Napoli) among others.

Last year’s winner Ademola Lookman, Osimhen’s compatriot, misses out on this year’s shortlist following his inconsistent form for Atalanta in Serie A and Europe.

In the women’s category, Rasheedat Ajibade and Esther Okoronkwo are among the top contenders for the CAF Women’s Player of the Year. Okoronkwo’s impressive displays for both club and country have made her one of the favourites to lift the award, which was claimed by Zambia’s Barbra Banda in 2024.

Chiamaka Nnadozie, who has won the Best Goalkeeper (Women) award for the past two years, is tipped to make it a hat-trick following another outstanding season with Paris FC/Brighton and Nigeria’s Super Falcons.

In the men’s category, Nigeria’s Stanley Nwabali is a strong contender for Goalkeeper of the Year. Daniel Bameyi and Shakirat Moshood competes in the Young Player of the Year bracket, for boys and girls, respectively.

Nigeria’s influence extends beyond players. Super Falcons coach Justine Madugu and Flamingos coach Bankole Olowookere have both been nominated for CAF Women’s Coach of the Year.

The ceremony will also feature awards for National Team of the Year (Men & Women) and Club of the Year.