For the first time since the CAF Women’s Player of the Year award began in 2001, no Super Falcons player has made the official shortlist.
The 2026 nominees, released on November 3, completely exclude stars including 6 time winner Asisat Oshoala and three-time Goalkeeper of the Year Chiamaka Nnadozie.
The shortlist features Marine Dafeur (Algeria), Marie Ngah Manga, Michaely Bihina and Monique Ngock (Cameroon), Portia Boakye (Ghana), Tabitha Chawinga and Temwa Chawinga (Malawi), Hanane Aït El Haj (Morocco), Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa) and Barbra Banda (Zambia).
The absence of Nigerian players is widely linked to the Super Falcons’ disappointing campaign at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. The team exited in the quarter-finals after a difficult group stage that included a shock defeat to Malawi.
Cameroon’s success at the continental championship has been reflected in the individual nominations, with several of their key performers featuring on the shortlist. CAF has traditionally placed significant weight on performances at its flagship tournament when selecting year-end award candidates.
Despite being shut out of the main player category, Nigeria still features in other awards. The Super Falcons have been nominated for Women’s National Team of the Year, while 17-year-old Christiana Uzoma earned a place on the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year shortlist.
Super Falcons players have claimed the title 13 times across previous editions, with Asisat Oshoala holding the all-time record of six victories. The awards ceremony is scheduled for December 7 in Lagos.
