Osimhen, Nwabali nominated for CAF awards 2025

GistReel

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled the nominees for the Men’s categories of the CAF Awards 2025, with Nigeria once again making a strong showing among Africa’s finest football talents.

Super Eagles stars Victor Osimhen, Daniel Bameyi, and Stanley Nwabali have all earned nominations in different categories, reflecting their performances for both club and country over the past year.

Osimhen headlines men’s Player of the Year nominees

Victor Osimhen is in the running for the CAF Men’s Player of the Year award after a dominant campaign with Galatasaray.

The Nigerian forward netted 26 goals in the Turkish Süper Lig to win the Golden Boot and spearhead Galatasaray’s title triumph.

Across all competitions, he registered 37 goals and eight assists, powering his side to a domestic double that included the Turkish Cup.

Osimhen faces stiff competition from Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain), Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids FC), Denis Bouanga (Los Angeles FC), Frank Anguissa (Napoli), Oussama Lamloui (Étoile du Sahel), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham Hotspur), and Iliman Ndiaye (Everton).

Bameyi among Young Player of the Year contenders

Teenage defender Daniel Bameyi, aged 19, has been shortlisted for CAF Men’s Young Player of the Year.

Bameyi’s presence and leadership in defence were instrumental as Nigeria reached the Round of 16 at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.

He will contest the award against Asharaf Tapsoba, Alynho Haidara, Othmane Maamma, Noah Sadiki, Abdellah Quazane, Houssam Essadak, Momoh Kamara, Mbekezile Mbokazi, and Tylon Smith.

Nwabali nominated for Goalkeeper of the Year

Super Eagles shot-stopper Stanley Nwabali has been nominated for CAF Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year, following a breakthrough year that saw him claim his place as Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper.

The 29-year-old, who plies his trade with Chippa United in South Africa, was outstanding at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, keeping four clean sheets in seven games as Nigeria finished runners-up.

His competition includes Andre Onana, Vozinha, Ahmed El Shenawy, Munir Mohamedi, Yassine Bounou, Édouard Mendy, Marc Diouf, Ronwen Williams, and Aymen Dahmen.

Nigeria’s strong representation on the continental stage

The CAF Awards 2025 ceremony, set for December, will celebrate the continent’s standout performers.

With Osimhen, Nwabali, and Bameyi all shortlisted, Nigeria stands tall once again in African football’s most prestigious honours.