Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has made history by securing a spot in the final three for the prestigious CAF Women’s Player of the Year award.
The 23-year-old, who has excelled for both club and country, will compete against Morocco’s Sanna Mssoudy and Zambia’s Barbra Banda for the coveted title.
This marks a historic moment as Assisat Oshoala, a six-time winner of the CAF Women’s Player of the Year award, misses out on the final three for the first time in three years. None of the top three nominees have previously won the award, adding a sense of unpredictability and excitement to the race.
𝗚𝗼𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 (𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻) – 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀#CAFAwards2024 pic.twitter.com/WtK5rL30Hr
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) December 12, 2024
Nnadozie, a double nominee at the 2024 CAF Awards, is also in the running for CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year, alongside South Africa’s Andile Dlamini and Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi.
The Paris FC star is the reigning holder of the Women’s Best Player award, which was introduced by CAF last year, and will be hoping to defend her title.
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However, Nnadozie faces tough competition from Zambia’s Barbra Banda, who has had an exceptional year. Banda shone at the Paris Olympics, scoring four goals, including a first-half hat-trick against Australia, making her the leading African goal scorer in Olympic history with 10 goals.
𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 (𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻) – 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀#CAFAwards2024 | @SSFootball pic.twitter.com/yXoTplr4S2
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) December 12, 2024
Her form continued in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), where she netted 13 goals for Orlando Pride in the 2024 regular season, despite joining in March. She also scored four goals in the playoffs, including the winning goal in the championship final, leading Pride to their first-ever title. Banda was named NWSL Most Valuable Player (MVP), solidifying her place among Africa’s top talents.
The 2024 CAF Awards will take place on December 16 at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco, with fans eagerly awaiting the outcome of this thrilling contest.
