Football enthusiasts have questioned the omission of Super Falcons captain, Rasheedat Ajibade, from the final shortlist of the prestigious CAF Women’s Awards 2024.
The Confederation of African Football unveiled the list on Wednesday night and despite having several Nigerians vying for honour in six categories, some fans were not pleased with the omission of the Atletico Madrid forward who has been impressive for both club and country.
Last season, the high-flying forward finished the league season with 10 goals and four assists in 30 games and has hit the ground running this campaign scoring five goals and providing two assists from eight games.
Reacting to the 24-year-old’s surprise omission on the CAF X handle, Fortunatus Stephen said, “Why is Nigeria’s Ajibade missing from the list?”
Another X user, Janet added, “I can’t believe that CAF overlooked Ajibade for this award despite her impressive season with Falcons and Atletico Madrid”.
Stephen James wrote, “This must be the joke of the century. Not having Ajibade on this list is proof that jokes write themselves. All the best”.
Meanwhile, some of the fans backed goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie to win the award.
“Chiamaka Nnadozie is the best among the best”, Akanni Oluomo wrote.
Prolific Suzy and Egbowon Oluwaseun responded to the tweet with the goalkeeper’s name and the flag of Nigeria.
Janet added, “Nnadozie for the win, she deserves it and congratulations to her in advance unless CAF decides to cheat her”.
In the Best Goalkeeper category, most football enthusiasts, both Nigerians and other countries, believed that without any doubt the Paris FC shot-stopper would claim the honour.
Debbi Love said, “Chiamaka Nnadozie will replace Asisat Oshoala as regards the dominance of this category. She will likely dominate the CAF Goalkeeper of The Year for seven consecutive years unless there is a major injury”.
Bolarinwa added, “All the way for Chiamaka”.
Rajee wrote, “No long talk, just give it to Chiamaka”.
In the Player of the Year category, the 23-year-old faces competition from Tabitha Chawinga and Temwa Chawinga (both from Malawi), Morocco’s Sanaâ Mssoudy and Zambia’s Barbra Banda
For the Goalkeeper accolade, she competes against Fideline Ngoy (DR Congo), Khadija Er-Rmichi (Morocco), and South Africa’s Andile Dlamini.
Adding to Nigeria’s strong representation, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, a rising star from Rivers Angels, has been shortlisted for Young Player of the Year, joining four other promising talents from Morocco, Egypt, and South Africa.
The Super Falcons are among the contenders for Women’s National Team of the Year, competing with Morocco, South Africa, Zambia, and Cameroon U-20.
Falconets coach Chris Danjuma has also been recognized with a nomination for Women’s Coach of the Year, highlighting his contributions to Nigeria’s U-20 team.
On the club front, Edo Queens, reigning Nigerian Women League champions, have earned a spot on the shortlist for Women’s Club of the Year.
The winners will be determined by votes from the CAF Technical Committee, media professionals, and football stakeholders. The awards ceremony is scheduled for 16 December 2024, in Marrakech, Morocco.
