Nigeria will have a presence in at least three categories at the 2026 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards after the first set of nominees were unveiled on Tuesday.
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The 2026 ceremony is scheduled for Monday, 7 December, at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Iganmu, Lagos, bringing the continent’s football stars and administrators to Nigeria for one of Africa’s biggest annual award events.
Nigeria’s nominations so far include Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year, Women’s Young Player of the Year, and Women’s National Team of the Year.
Edo Queens goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma is among the contenders for theWomen’s Goalkeeper of the Year award after an impressive campaign with the NWFL champions and their run to the final of the WAFU-B Women’s Champions League qualifying tournament.
Goalkeeper of the Year nominees (Women) (CREDIT: CAF Media)
Uzoma will, however, face a competitive field that includes ChloN’Gazizi, Michaely Bihina, Cynthia Konlan, Mercy Sikelo, Fatoumata Karantao, Khadija Er-Rmichi, Adji Ndiaye, Kaylin Swart and Hazel Nali.
Three-time winner Chiamaka Nnadozie is notably absent from this year’s shortlist, with the Super Falcons and Brighton goalkeeper missing out after dominating the category in previous editions.
Nigeria also has a strong presence in the Women’s Young Player of the Year category, where Kemi Adegbuyi has earned recognition following a remarkable season with Robo Queens and the Flamingos.
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Young player of the year nominees (Women) (CREDIT: CAF Media)
Adegbuyi’s nomination comes after she emerged as the NWFL Player of the Season and Super Six Most Valuable Player, while also making her mark in the WAFU-B region during the Women’s Champions League qualifying campaign.
Janet Akekoromowei, the Benfica forward and Falconets goal-scoring talent, has also been shortlisted for the award, giving Nigeria two representatives in the category.
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At the national team level, the Super Falcons have been nominated for the Women’s National Team of the Year award despite failing to retain the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title in 2026.
Women’s National Team of the Year nominees (CREDIT: CAF Media)
Nigeria will battle Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Malawi, Mali, Morocco and WAFCON champions Cameroon for the honour.
The winners will be unveiled at the 2026 CAF Awards ceremony in Lagos on 7 December, as Nigeria looks to turn its nominations into silverware on home soil.