Nigerian Stars Shine Bright: Chiamaka Nnadozie Leads Nigeria’s Dominance in 2024 CAF Women’s Awards
The stage is set for the 2024 CAF Awards, and Nigeria is making a powerful statement across multiple categories. With the Confederation of African Football (CAF) unveiling the top five nominees in each women’s category, Nigerian footballers, clubs, and coaches are poised for glory at the prestigious ceremony scheduled for December 16, 2024, in Marrakech, Morocco.
Chiamaka Nnadozie: A Double Threat
Leading Nigeria’s charge is Chiamaka Nnadozie, the dynamic goalkeeper for Paris FC. Nnadozie has been nominated for two coveted awards: CAF Women’s Player of the Year and CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year. Known for her exceptional reflexes and commanding presence, Nnadozie faces fierce competition from Africa’s elite, including:
Player of the Year Nominees:
Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi / Olympique Lyonnais)
Temwa Chawinga (Malawi / Kansas City Current)
Sanaâ Mssoudy (Morocco / AS FAR)
Barbra Banda (Zambia / Orlando Pride)
Goalkeeper of the Year Nominees:
Fideline Ngoy (DR Congo / TP Mazembe)
Habiba Sabry (Egypt / FC Masar)
Khadija Er-Rmichi (Morocco / AS FAR)
Andile Dlamini (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)
Rising Star: Chiamaka Okwuchukwu
Joining Nnadozie on the shortlist is Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, a rising star from Rivers Angels, who has been nominated for CAF Young Player of the Year. Okwuchukwu’s talent and versatility have positioned her as one of Africa’s most promising young footballers, competing against players like:
Habiba Sabry (Egypt / FC Masar)
Doha El Madani (Morocco / AS FAR)
Lina Mokhtar Jamai (Morocco / PSG)
Nthabiseng Majiya (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)
Nigerian National Team and Edo Queens in the Spotlight
Beyond individual accolades, the Nigerian Women’s National Team has been nominated for CAF Women’s National Team of the Year, reflecting their consistent dominance on the African stage. The team will contend with:
Cameroon U-20
Morocco
South Africa
Zambia
Meanwhile, Edo Queens, Nigeria’s reigning Women’s League champions, have been shortlisted for CAF Women’s Club of the Year, competing against:
TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
FC Masar (Egypt)
AS FAR (Morocco)
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
Chris Danjuma: A Coach to Watch
In the coaching category, Chris Danjuma, head coach of Nigeria’s U-20 women’s team, has been recognized with a nomination for CAF Women’s Coach of the Year, standing alongside notable names like:
Lamia Boumehdi (TP Mazembe)
Ahmed Ramadan (FC Masar)
Mohamed Amine Alioua (AS FAR)
Thinasonke Mbuli (University of the Western Cape)
A Night of Glory Awaits
The winners will be decided by votes from the CAF Technical Committee, media professionals, head coaches, and captains of member associations, as well as clubs participating in the group stages of Interclub competitions.
As the countdown to the 2024 CAF Awards begins, all eyes are on Nigeria. Will the nation’s football stars, coaches, and clubs take home the top honors? December 16 in Marrakech will tell the tale, and Nigerian fans are ready to celebrate what promises to be a night of triumph.
