Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)’s Rasheedat Ajibade has secured a place in the final shortlist for the CAF Women’s Player of the Year award, though many were surprised to see that compatriot Esther Okoronkwo did not make the cut.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) unveiled the last three contenders for the prestigious honour on Sunday evening.
Okoronkwo of AFC Toronto had initially been named in the 10-person shortlist released earlier but was excluded from the final trio, which now features the Moroccan pair Ghizlane Chebbak and Sanaa Mssoudy alongside Ajibade.
Okoronkwo played a key role in Nigeria’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) triumph earlier in the year and earned the Player of the Match accolade in the Super Falcons’ remarkable comeback win over Morocco in the final.
Ajibade, representing PSG, was crowned Player of the Competition after an outstanding performance in which she claimed Woman of the Match honours three times across Nigeria’s six games en route to their 10th WAFCON title.
Meanwhile, Chiamaka Nnadozie is closing in on a potential third consecutive Goalkeeper of the Year award. The Brighton shotstopper made the final shortlist for the category, having already won the accolade twice.
Her compatriot, Moshood Shakirat, also earned a place among the finalists for the Best Young Player award in the women’s category.
The Super Falcons are additionally in contention for the National Team of the Year award after a standout year capped by yet another WAFCON victory.
This year’s CAF Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on November 19 in Rabat, Morocco.