National Teams
Ajibade vs Okoronkwo: Who Deserves the 2025 Africa Women’s Player of the Year Gong?
By Samuel Ahmadu
The race for the CAF Women’s Player of the Year 2025 has taken centre stage and for the first time in years, it feels like a contest truly defined by Nigerian excellence. Two Super Falcons stars, Rasheedat Ajibade and Esther Okoronkwo, have earned spots among Africa’s elite 10 nominees after inspiring Nigeria to yet another Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) crown.
Yet, while both players were crucial to Nigeria’s continental success, the debate over who deserves the ultimate honour may well hinge on consistency, competition level, and overall influence across club and country.
Okoronkwo: The Assist Queen Rising Fast
Okoronkwo’s rapid ascent has been one of the feel-good stories of Nigerian football. The creative forward was among the Super Falcons’ standout performers at the Morocco 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, where she was nicknamed the assist queen for her precision and composure in the final third. Her sharp understanding of space and eye for goal gave Nigeria extra attacking variety en route to reclaiming the continental title. Okoronkwo’s form earned her Player of the Match twice, including in the finals of the Wafcon 2024.
At club level, Okoronkwo has been equally effective in the newly established Canadian League, showcasing her adaptability and finishing prowess to claim the inaugural league trophy in Canada. However, the league’s developmental nature means it lacks the week-in, week-out intensity of top-tier European football. In comparison with players competing in the world’s strongest leagues — such as Spain’s Liga F, France’s Division 1 Féminine, and the NWSL in the United States — the competitive gap remains evident.
While Okoronkwo’s rise is remarkable and her potential enormous, the gulf in club competition arguably affects her Player of the Year credentials when measured against the continent’s biggest stars performing at the elite level.
Ajibade: From Mushin to Paris — The Complete African Star
If there’s one player who bridges that competitive gap, it’s Rasheedat Ajibade. From the dusty streets of Mushin, Lagos, to the glittering arenas of Paris, Ajibade’s story is a powerful grass-to-grace journey built on resilience, self-belief, and relentless work ethic.
Over the years, Ajibade has grown into a model of consistency — from representing Nigeria at youth levels twice at both the U17 and U20 Women’s World Cup to captaining the Super Falcons with authority. Her influence during the 2024 WAFCON was monumental as she played every single minute of the tournament, inspiring Nigeria to continental glory on her third WAFCON appearance while setting the emotional and tactical tone for her team.
Her track record speaks volumes. Ajibade scored the decisive goal against Cameroon that secured Nigeria’s qualification for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and she also finished as joint-top scorer at the 2022 WAFCON — a testament to her ability to deliver on the biggest stages.
At club level, Ajibade’s credentials shine even brighter. She was instrumental in Atlético Madrid’s qualification for the UEFA Women’s Champions League, before sealing a dream move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) — one of the most competitive and demanding women’s football environments in the world. Competing in Europe’s top flight has elevated her game, placing her in the same competitive orbit as Africa’s global stars such as Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga, Barbara Banda, and Ghizlane Chebbak.
Off the field, Ajibade stands tall as a voice for women’s empowerment and player welfare through her active role with FIFPRO, the global footballers’ union. Her leadership extends beyond the pitch, she is a role model for countless young girls across Africa, proving that football can change lives and that dreams from Mushin’s streets can echo on the world stage.
The Other Contenders: Africa’s Finest in Full Flow
The rest of the shortlist underscores just how far African women’s football has advanced:
Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi) – A relentless goal machine who moved from PSG to Olympique Lyon, continuing to thrive at the pinnacle of European football. Her combination of pace, power, and poise makes her one of the world’s most complete strikers.
Temwa Chawinga (Malawi) – Blazing her own trail in the United States with Kansas City Current, Temwa’s finishing and flair in the NWSL have made her one of Africa’s fastest-rising stars and biggest favourites, except for her WAFCON absence.
Barbara Banda (Zambia) – A true leader and powerhouse, Banda scored three goals at the 2024 WAFCON in Morocco and continues to dominate in the American league with her trademark physicality and determination.
Racheal Kundananji (Zambia) – Equally prolific with three goals at the last WAFCON, Kundananji made global headlines with her record-breaking transfer from Madrid CFF (Spain) to Bay FC (United States) — the most expensive move in women’s football history.
Ghizlane Chebbak (Morocco) – The Atlas Lionesses’ captain and playmaker remains a consistent performer plus finishing as Wafcon topscorer, leading with elegance, intelligence, and composure.
Sanaa Mssoudy (Morocco) – A technically gifted midfielder whose creativity continues to be key to Morocco’s growing continental influence.
Mama Diop (Senegal) – Senegal’s talismanic forward has impressed in France, combining power and precision to elevate her national team’s competitiveness.
Verdict: The Edge Lies in the Level of Competition
This year’s CAF Women’s Player of the Year contest highlights a key divide — performance across leagues of differing competitiveness. While Okoronkwo’s rise in North America’s emerging system is inspiring, Ajibade’s consistent excellence in Europe’s toughest competitions places her in the same echelon as Tabitha Chawinga, Banda, and Chebbak, who all ply their trade in high-intensity professional environments.
The difference may prove decisive. Ajibade’s leadership, resilience, and performances in elite European football — combined with her success as Nigeria’s captain — give her a distinct edge over contenders, especially those from less competitive leagues.
From Mushin’s crowded streets to PSG’s grand stages, Ajibade represents the true story of African football’s rise — talent forged in hardship, refined in Europe, and now shining on the world’s biggest platforms.
If the CAF Women’s Player of the Year award is meant to honour not just form, but influence, consistency, and competition at the highest level, then Ajibade deserves to wear the crown.
