Esther Okoronkwo snubbed, Ajbade named in CAF Women's Player of the Year shortlist

CAF has released their three-person shortlist for the Women's Player of the Year Award, and it includes Super Falcons' Rasheedat Ajibade. 

The list also had conspicuous omissions like Esther Okoronkwo and Barbara Banda and exclusively included only players from the WAFCON final: Ajbade (PSG/Nigeria), Ghizlane Chebbak (Al Hilal, Morocco), and Sanaa Mssoudy (AS FAR, Morocco).

Ghizlane Chebbak:

Chebbak was the top scorer at WAFCON 2024 with 5 goals. Aged 34, she was energetic and impactful, leading the Atlas Lionesses to the final of the competition.

Rasheedat Ajibade:

Ajibade led the Super Falcons to the WAFCON title as captain and was named Player of the Tournament after winning three Player of the Match awards in the competition. 

She recently secured a move to Paris Saint-Germain after leaving Atletico Madrid at the end of the previous campaign. 

Sanaa Mssoudy:

Sanaa plays as a forward for Moroccan side AS FAR. She was named Best Player in the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League and scored in the WAFCON final against Nigeria. 

Last year, she was also named CAF Women’s Interclub Player of the Year in 2024, which rewarded her for her incredible contribution to a club within the continent.