CAF has released the nominees for the 2023 Women's Player of the Year award, and Super Falcons players are well represented.
With the CAF awards on the horizon, the debates have hit a crescendo, with many Nigerians expecting their players to do well at the ceremony.
The Super Eagles and Super Falcons players have performed well in the year, and naturally, they have several names popping up on the list. The Super Falcons have seven players in the 30-woman list vying for the prestigious award.
Other countries with players on the list include South Africa, Morocco, Cameroon, Ghana and Malawi. Others are Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Namibia.
Ten Super Falcons players have been nominated for three separate categories for the CAF Awards 2023.
Asisat Oshoala (Barcelona), Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC), Tony Payne (Sevilla), Christy Ucheibe (Benfica), Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca), Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid) and pic.twitter.com/UpSNeAM318
— Charles Iboma TM 🇳🇬 🇨🇦 (@CharlesIboma) November 14, 2023
Super Falcons players on the 30-woman list
The seven Super Falcons players that made it to CAF's 30-Woman list for the 2023 Women's Player of the Year award include perennial winner Asisat Oshoala, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Christy Ucheibe and Osinachi Ohale.
Others are Rasheedat Ajibade, Toni Payne and Uchenna Kanu.
The seven ladies had fantastic performances for club and country, especially with their displays at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, where the Super Falcons lost only one game.
Their only loss was to the Three Lionesses in the quarter-finals. It came via penalties, making it more painful for the ladies.
Super Falcons Deborah Abiodun, Oluwatosin Demehin and Falconet Esther Ajakaye have all received a nomination for the CAF Young Women’s Player of the Year award.
The Super Falcons' squad was also nominated for the best National Team of the Year (Women).#CAFAwards2023 #Africa pic.twitter.com/2GvrdlA96z
— Mozzart Bet Nigeria (@mozzartbetng) November 14, 2023
The chances of the Super Falcons players winning
Asisat Oshoala
The five-time winner is also highly favoured to win again. She was the only African woman nominated for the 2022 Women's Ballon d'Or Player of the Year award.
She also won the Primera División, UEFA Women's Champions League and the Supercopa de España Femenina.
Christy Ucheibe
She is a Benfica midfielder and helped the team win the 2022–23 Campeonato Nacional Feminino, Taça da Liga – 2022–23 and Supertaça de Portugal, 2023.
Osinachi Ohale
She is the oldest Super Falcons player. She scored a fantastic goal against hosts Australia at the 2023 World Cup, with her performance earning her the Player of the Match award.
Uchenna Kanu
The former U-17 player starrs for Racing Louisville and scored a goal at the World Cup. She had an inspiring tournament and could also win the award.
Chiamaka Nnadozie
The Paris FC goalkeeper had a phenomenal World Cup, including a penalty save. She was also dominant for her club and should win the Goalkeeper of the Year award.
Rasheedat Ajibade
She did not score for the Super Falcons at the World Cup but was inspirational for Atletico Madrid in Spain.
She helped the club win the Copa de la Reina: 2022–23.
Toni Payne
Toni Payne plays for Sevilla in Spain. The 28-year-old midfielder had a solid performance at the World Cup.
Other players that could win ahead of Super Falcons players
Malawi striker Tabitha Chawinga is a top contender for the award. The Malawian forward scored 23 goals in 23 games for Inter Milan. On loan to PSG, she has scored two goals from three games.
Other challengers include Ghizlane Chebbak (Morocco), Thembi Kgatlana, Linda Motlhalo (South Africa) and Babara Banda (Zambia).
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago
