CAF Awards 2025: Osimhen, Nwabali, Bameyi Nominated, Lookman, Super Eagles Ignored

CAF Awards 2025: Osimhen, Nwabali, Bameyi Nominated, Lookman, Super Eagles Ignored

Sampson Adedeji

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled the list of nominees for the 2025 CAF Awards, with several Nigerian players earning recognition, though some notable omissions have sparked debate, BSNSports.com.ng reports. 

Nigeria and Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen has been shortlisted for the Player of the Year Award, marking another opportunity for the prolific striker to claim the continent’s top individual honour. 

However, reigning holder Ademola Lookman was surprisingly left out of the nominees’ list despite a solid season for Atalanta.

In the goalkeeping category, Stanley Nwabali of Chippa United earned a well-deserved nomination for Goalkeeper of the Year following his outstanding performances for the Super Eagles at international and club levels. 

Nigerian star and Flying Eagles captain Daniel Bameyi also made the shortlist for the Young Player of the Year, capping an impressive year for the teenage defender.

Despite these individual recognitions, the Super Eagles were conspicuously missing from the National Team of the Year category, a decision that has raised eyebrows among Nigerian fans and analysts. 

Osimhen will compete for the Player of the Year crown against some of Africa’s finest, including Mohamed Salah (Egypt), Achraf Hakimi (Morocco), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea), Pape Sarr (Senegal), and Zambo Anguissa (Cameroon), among others.

The CAF Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place later this year, where Africa’s best footballers, coaches, and teams will be honoured for their performances over the past season.