Shakirat Moshood misses out as Morocco’s Doha El Madani wins 2025 CAF Women’s Young Player of the Year

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team captain and Bayelsa Queens midfielder Shakirat Moshood missed out on the 2025 CAF Women’s Young Player of the Year award, which was claimed by Morocco’s rising star Doha El Madani at the ceremony held on Wednesday in Morocco.

El Madani’s victory highlights her rapid rise as one of Africa’s most exciting young footballers. She also won the award in 2024.

The Moroccan youngster was recently voted Moroccan Women’s Championship Young Player of the Year, building on her standout performance in the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League, where she earned the Young Player of the Tournament award.

Her performance throughout the year reaffirmed her status as one of the continent’s brightest prospects, and she capped an exceptional season with another major CAF accolade.

In the men’s category, another Moroccan talent, Othmane Maamma, was crowned CAF Men’s Young Player of the Year, making it a double triumph for the North African nation.

Oluwaseun Oyediji

Oluwaseun Babatunde Oyediji is a multi-media sports journalist with over 10 years experience in Information Communication Technology (ICT), women's football, and beach soccer reportage.The prolific writer is the Media Assistant to Nigeria Beach Soccer League and Africa Beach Soccer Union as well as contributor on Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) website.He has covered multiple national and international football tournaments including Championship of African Nations (CHAN 2020), CAF Women's Champions League (2023), and Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023).Since 2021, Oyediji has covered the NWFL Premiership especially the season ending Super Six Playoffs.A member of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ogun state chapter is also the image maker of the Remo Sports Development Council under the leadership of Chief Falilat Ogunkoya and David Osuolale.

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