CAF Awards: Chiamaka Nnadozie earns double nominations

The Confederation of African football has announced the final shortlists for the women’s categories of the 2023 CAF Awards, with Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie making two cuts.

Nigeria have at least one player in each category of the 2023 CAF Women’s Awards, with a total of five representatives nominated in several classes, while Chiamaka Nnadozie made two categories.

Nnadozie enjoyed a brilliant 2023 after reaching the second round of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

She was the hero at the tournament after saving a penalty against Olympic champions, Canada, in the opening match and also helped the team to go unbeaten in the group stage for the first time in history.

The Nigerian safe hands also had a sterling display with Paris FC in the UEFA Women’s Champions League playoff rounds saving back-to-back penalties to eliminate last season’s semifinalists Arsenal, and last season’s finalist, Wolfsburg, to qualify for the group stage for the first time.

The goalkeeper has now made it to the final shortlist for the Goalkeeper and Women’s Player of the year award category.

For the Goalkeeper of the Year Nnadozie is up against Dlamini, Imane Abdelahad, Khadija Er-Rmichi, and Kaylin Swart.

While Oshoala eyes her record extending sixth berth, Nnadozie hopes to make the podium for the first time.

However, the duo faces stiff competition from Moroccan trio Anissa Lahmari, Fatima Tagnaout, and Ghizlaine Chebbak, and South African trio of Andile Dlamini, Thembi Kgatlana, and Hilda Magaia,  while Cameroon’s Ajara Njoya and Barbara Banda from Zambia complete the top 10 list.

The winner of the awards will be announced at the gala on December 11 at the Palais des Congrès, Movenpick, Marrakech, Morocco.