CAF awards: Scorecard of Nigerian players since 1992
The year's top female player
1999, 2001: Mercy Akide
In a World Cup qualifying match against Sierra Leone in Ibadan, Akide—who won the inaugural Women's Player of the Year award—scored two goals in her debut international match.
When Akide was first awarded the continental title, she was standing next to Nwankwo Kanu, another legendary Nigerian, and together they became the first national team to win both the men's and women's titles.
Nkwocha Perpetua - 2004, 2005, 2010, 2011
Four-time champion Nkwocha is revered as a legendary player in women's football for her outstanding skill on the pitch and significant contributions to the game. She played an important role for the Super Falcons and took part in seven WAFCONs, five of which she won. She helped Nigeria win the 2004 African Women's Championship by scoring four goals against Cameroon in the championship match.
In addition, she broke the previous record by finishing the tournament with nine goals overall, earning the title of best player. Nkwocha won the title of African Women's Footballer of the Year for the first time that year. She repeated the feat the following year, winning it twice in 2010 and 2011.
Cynthia Uwak, 2006 and 2007
When Nkwocha was at her peak, very few people could unseat her for the Women's Player of the Year award. However, one such person was her countrymate, and she did so twice, as Uwak won the title in 2006 and 2007.
Uwak was a formidable midfielder who made a significant impact on the Nigerian women's football scene thanks to her extraordinary vision, technical skill, and creative playmaking abilities. She established herself as one of Nigeria's most important football players with her skill on the pitch, ability to set up teammates, and ability to score big goals.
Throughout her remarkable career, Uwak won league championships in France and Sweden in addition to her two WAFCON titles from 2004 and 2006.
Asisat Oshoala : 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023
Oshoala rose quickly to become one of women's football's most captivating players. She began her career in Nigeria's Robo FC and Rivers Angels before going on to have successful stints in Europe's top leagues, where she played for Liverpool, Arsenal, and now Barcelona. consistently demonstrated her ability to shine on the grandest stages. Her prowess on the field led to several prestigious awards, and she is the only African to have won the Women’s Player of The Year title a record six times.
Male Athlete of the Year
Men’s Player of the Year
Rashidi Yekini – 1993
Yekini was a prolific striker who won the 1993 CAF Men's Player of the Year award. He was well-known for his strong and precise finishing. The "Goals Father," who has scored the most goals for Nigeria ever, had an incredible career as a player for the national team, winning the 1994 World Cup and playing in Europe.
Amunike, Emmanuel (1994)
Amunike won the 1994 CAF Men's Player of the Year title. He was a quick and technically proficient winger. He scored goals against Bulgaria and Italy while playing for the United States team in the 1994 World Cup. He also contributed significantly to Nigeria's victory at the 1994 African Cup of Nations.
Additionally, Amunike played all the games at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, scoring the winning goal in the final as the national team won the gold medal.
Nwankwo Kanu – 1996, 1999
Kanu, a versatile and talented forward, is the only Nigerian to have won the CAF Men’s Player of The Year award twice. He showcased his skill and creativity playing for top clubs like Ajax, Inter Milan, and Arsenal, and was a crucial part of Nigeria’s golden generation that won the 1996 Summer Olympics where he scored the winning goal in the 4–3 semi-final win over Brazil, his second goal of the match.
Victor Ikpeba – 1997
A member of the Eagles squad that won the 1994 African Cup of Nations, Ikpeba secured the CAF Men’s Player of The Year award in 1997.Men’s Player of The Year award in 1997.
At AS Monaco, he had a big influence as they won the 1997 Trophees des Champions and the 1996–1997 Ligue 1 championship.
Osimhen Victor – 2023
Osimhen broke a 24-year curse by winning the 2023 CAF Player of the Year Award on Monday. This makes him the first Nigerian to win the trophy since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999.
Partenopei's first Scudetto in thirty-three years was won thanks in large part to Osimhen's 26 goals. Along with being named to the African XI and Serie A Team of the Year, he also received the Italian Footballers' Player of the Year award. The 24-year-old received a nomination for both the esteemed FIFA Best and Ballon d'Or awards, and finished an impressive eighth in the overall standings.
Football Coach of the Year for Men
Ikhana Kadiri (2003)
Renowned coach Ikhana was named 2003's Men's Football Coach of the Year due to his outstanding coaching abilities and leadership qualities, which made a major impact on Nigerian football.
In addition to managing Enyimba, which won the African Champions League in 2003, Ikhana also oversaw the 2004 Olympic squad representing Nigeria.
Emordi, Okey (2004)
Emordi won the 2004 Men's Football Coach of the Year title thanks to his coaching prowess and tactical savvy. Similar to Ikhana, he succeeded his predecessor on the Olympic team, and together they led Enyimba to an African Champions League championship.
2005; 2013; Stephen Keshi
Men's Football Coach of the Year twice went to Keshi, a legendary figure in Nigerian football. As the national team's coach, he created history by helping Nigeria win the 2013 African Cup of Nations.
Yemi Tella, (2007)
In 2007, Tella was recognised as the Men's Football Coach of the Year due to his outstanding coaching skills. His guidance and mentoring of players led to their success, leaving a significant impact on Nigerian football.
In 2007 he guided the Golden Eaglets to victory at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Year's Top Young Player
Osimhen Victor (2015)
2015 saw Osimhen win Best Young Player of the Year. He is a rising star who is renowned for his extraordinary talent and goal-scoring ability. His early performances in Nigerian football demonstrated his enormous potential and promise.
Youngest Player of the Year (Best for Women)
Oshoala, Asisat (2014)
A rising star in women's football was announced in 2014 when Asisat Oshoala was named the Best Young Player of the Year. Her future successes in the sport were made possible by her extraordinary abilities, unwavering perseverance, and thrilling performances at an early age.
The best local player
In 2004, Vincent Enyeama
Acknowledgment for Vincent Enyeama's outstanding efforts in the Nigerian football league highlighted his status as one of the best players in the country.
He is considered by many to be among the best African goalkeepers of all time, even though his height is below average for a goalkeeper. He won the CAF Champions League twice (in 2003 and 2004) while he was with Enyimba International.
Best National Team of the Year
Super Eagles – 2013
With their remarkable performance in winning the African Cup of Nations, the Nigerian national team, captained by Stephen Keshi, won the National Team of the Year award in 2013.
Super Falcons – 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2023
Nigeria's women's national team, the Super Falcons, have won numerous National Team of the Year honours over the years, demonstrating their success and dominance in women's football on the continent.
Following an outstanding performance at the World Cup earlier in the year, the 2023 prize was awarded. After advancing to the round of 16, the Falcons faced England and lost in penalty shootouts.
The Super Falcons had won all three of their group game prior to the loss. They stunned co-hosts Australia, drew Olympic champions Canada, and had to settle for a point against the Republic of Ireland.
Club (Men) of the Year
2003, 2004 Enyimba
After winning Club of the Year both times, Enyimba FC's back-to-back victories in the African Champions League signalled the beginning of a golden age for the team in continental competitions and demonstrated their strength in African football.
Keeper (Women) of the Year
Nnadozie Chiamaka – 2023
The first Women's Goalkeeper of the Year award went to Chiamaka Nnadozie, who won it for her outstanding goalkeeping abilities and contributions to the Falcons' World Cup and AFCON victories, where she showed off her ability to save penalties.
