Nigeria has missed out on the 2026 CAF Women’s Player of the Year shortlist, with none of the country’s football stars included among the 10 nominees announced by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Despite the absence of a Nigerian contender for the continent’s leading individual women’s football honour, the country secured four nominations across three other categories.
The Super Falcons, goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma and young players Oluwakemi Adegbuyi and Seimeyeha Janet Akekoromowei were recognised in the nominations released on Tuesday, November 3.
The announcement comes after Nigeria’s unsuccessful title defence at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), where the Super Falcons were eliminated in the quarter-finals.
Super Falcons’ WAFCON Exit Precedes CAF Awards Snub
Nigeria’s failure to secure a nomination in the Women’s Player of the Year category follows a difficult continental campaign.
The Super Falcons entered the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations hoping to retain their title but suffered a 1-0 quarter-final defeat to Cameroon.
Cameroon subsequently won the tournament, while Nigeria’s early exit ended its hopes of adding another continental trophy to its record.
The latest CAF shortlist includes three Cameroonian players, reflecting the country’s strong representation following its continental success.
However, CAF has not established in the supplied announcement that Nigeria’s WAFCON elimination was the reason no Nigerian player made the individual shortlist.
Full 2026 CAF Women’s Player of the Year Nominees
The 10 shortlisted players represent seven African countries, with Cameroon having the largest number of nominees.
| Player | Country |
| Marine Dafeur | Algeria |
| Marie Ngah Manga. | Cameroon |
| Michaely Bihina | Cameroon |
| Monique Ngock. | Cameroon |
| Portia Boakye | Ghana |
| Tabitha Chawinga. | Malawi |
| Temwa Chawinga. | Malawi |
| Hanane Aït El Haj | Morocco |
| Thembi Kgatlana | South Africa |
| Barbra Banda | Zambia |
Malawi has two players on the list, with sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga both competing for the prestigious award.
Other prominent contenders include Zambia’s Barbra Banda and South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana.
Super Falcons Nominated for Women’s National Team of the Year
Although Nigeria has no representative in the top individual category, the Super Falcons remain in contention for the Women’s National Team of the Year award.
Nigeria is shortlisted alongside Algeria, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Malawi, Mali, Morocco and South Africa.
The nomination provides an opportunity for the Super Falcons to receive continental recognition despite their quarter-final elimination at WAFCON.
Cameroon, which emerged as continental champion, is also among the nominated national teams.
Christiana Uzoma Earns Goalkeeper of the Year Nomination
Edo Queens goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma is Nigeria’s only representative in the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year category.
Uzoma faces competition from nine other goalkeepers across Africa.
The shortlisted players include Algeria’s Chloe N’Gazi, Cameroon’s Michaely Bihina, Ghana’s Cynthia Konlan, Malawi’s Mercy Sikelo and Mali’s Fatoumata Karantao.
Other nominees are Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi, Senegal’s Adji Ndiaye, South Africa’s Kaylin Swart and Zambia’s Hazel Nali.
Uzoma’s inclusion gives Nigerian domestic women’s football a place among the nominees in an important individual category.
Two Nigerian Youngsters Make CAF Shortlist
Nigeria also secured two nominations for the Women’s Young Player of the Year award.
Oluwakemi Adegbuyi, who represents Robo Queens and Nigeria’s Flamingos, was named alongside Seimeyeha Janet Akekoromowei, a Benfica player who has featured for the Falconets.
Their nominations highlight the recognition Nigerian emerging talents continue to receive in African women’s football.
Both players will compete against other promising young footballers for the continental honour.
CAF Awards 2026 Scheduled for Lagos
The 2026 CAF Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Lagos, Nigeria, on December 7.
The event will recognise outstanding achievements by African footballers, national teams, coaches and other participants in the sport.
For Nigerian football supporters, attention will now turn to the Super Falcons’ team nomination and the individual prospects of Uzoma, Adegbuyi and Akekoromowei.
While the absence of a Nigerian nominee for Women’s Player of the Year is notable, the four nominations across other categories ensure that Nigeria remains represented at the continental awards.
