Nigeria’s Super Falcons stars Rasheedat Ajibade and Asisat Oshoala have been left out of the 10-player shortlist for the 2026 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Women’s Player of the Year award.
CAF unveiled the nominees for the prestigious individual honour, with players from seven countries making the final list.
The omission of Ajibade and Oshoala represents a disappointment for Nigeria, which has a rich history of producing some of the continent’s finest female footballers.
Cameroon leads the nominations with three representatives: Marie Ngah Manga, Michaely Bihina and Monique Ngock.
Algeria’s Marine Dafeur, Ghana’s Portia Boakye and Morocco’s Hanane Ait El Haj also made the shortlist.
Malawi has two nominees, with sisters Tabitha Chawinga and Temwa Chawinga earning recognition for their performances.
South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana and Zambia’s Barbra Banda complete the 10-player list.
Banda, widely regarded as one of Africa’s leading female footballers, will be hoping to secure another continental individual accolade.
The 2026 CAF Awards will celebrate outstanding achievements across African football, with the Women’s Player of the Year award expected to be among the major highlights of the ceremony.
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