Nigeria’s footballing pedigree has once again taken centre stage as three Super Eagles stars earned nominations in key categories for the prestigious 2025 CAF Awards, scheduled to hold in December.
Leading the Nigerian contingent is Victor Osimhen, who has been shortlisted for African Men’s Player of the Year, following a blistering season with Turkish champions Galatasaray, where he finished as the league’s top scorer and played a pivotal role in their title-winning campaign.
Also earning continental recognition is Stanley Nwabali, the Super Eagles’ number one goalkeeper and a standout performer for Chippa United in South Africa. Nwabali is among the ten nominees for Goalkeeper of the Year, marking a major career milestone after his impressive displays during the AFCON qualifiers and in domestic competitions.
Rounding out Nigeria’s trio of nominees is rising star Daniel Bameyi, who is in contention for Young Player of the Year.
The 19-year-old defender caught the eye during Nigeria’s run at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, where he captained the Flying Eagles with composure beyond his years.
Continental Spotlight on Nigeria
The 2025 nominations reaffirm Nigeria’s growing influence in African football, with representation across experience levels and positional roles.
* Osimhen remains a marquee name on the continent, having previously finished in the top three in 2023 and now eyeing a long-overdue crowning moment.
* Nwabali’s inclusion marks a significant breakthrough for goalkeepers plying their trade in Southern Africa, and for Nigeria, it is a nod to his reliability in key fixtures.
* Bameyi, meanwhile, symbolizes the future — a new generation of Nigerian talent ready to take over the continental scene.
Award Ceremony on the Horizon
The winners will be announced at the CAF Awards Gala set to take place in Marrakech, Morocco this December.
The annual ceremony, organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), recognises the best individual and team performances across African football.
Past Glory, Future Promise
Should Osimhen, Nwabali or Bameyi clinch their respective titles, it would mark Nigeria’s return to the CAF awards podium in emphatic style.
You May Like: ASUU Suspends Strike, Gives FG 1-Month Ultimatum
The last Nigerian to win the coveted Men’s Player of the Year award was Nwankwo Kanu in 1999.
With the national team also gearing up for the final round of World Cup qualifiers in early 2026, these nominations come as a morale boost and a timely reminder of Nigeria’s rich talent pool.
