Super Falcons, Three Nigerian Stars Earn CAF Awards Nominations

Nigeria’s women’s football continues to command attention on the African stage, with the Super Falcons and three emerging stars earning nominations across three categories of the 2026 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Women’s Awards.

The nominations recognise the country’s strength in women’s football, extending from the senior national team to players making their mark at club and youth levels.

Edo Queens goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma has been shortlisted for the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award, while Oluwakemi Adegbuyi and Seimeyeha Janet Akekoromowei will compete for the Women’s Young Player of the Year honour. Adegbuyi represents Robo Queens and the Flamingos, while Akekoromowei plays for the Falconets.

Uzoma faces a competitive field that includes Chloe N’Gazi, Michaely Bihina, Cynthia Konlan, Mercy Sikelo, Fatoumata Karantao, Khadija Er-Rmichi, Adji Ndiaye, Kaylin Swart and Hazel Nali.

The Young Player of the Year category will also feature two Nigerian contenders against a group of promising talents from across the continent. Adegbuyi and Akekoromowei are up against Romaine Gandonou, Maëva Nyanidjo, Grace-Ruth Sery, N’Sira Ouédraogo, Rose Kadzere, Kautar Azraf, Adji Ndiaye and Winfrida Gerald.

Beyond the individual nominations, the Super Falcons have secured a place among the contenders for the Women’s National Team of the Year award. Their inclusion comes despite Nigeria’s failure to win the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title.

The Nigerian side will face the competition’s champions, Cameroon, alongside Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Malawi, Mali, Morocco and South Africa.

While the nominations offer recognition across several levels of the women’s game, Nigeria will have no representative in the Women’s Player of the Year category, with no Nigerian footballer making the shortlist.

The 2026 CAF Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Lagos on December 7, when the winners across the various categories will be announced.

Nigeria’s presence in the goalkeeper, youth and national team categories reflects the continuing contribution of its women footballers to the continent’s competitive landscape, with the December ceremony set to determine how many of the nominations translate into awards.