World Cup Nations Dominate CAF Awards Shortlists

Players from the four nations that represented Africa at the FIFA Women’s World Cup earlier are dominating the CAF Awards shortlists announced today. Morocco, South Africa, Nigeria, Zambia are feature prominently in all categories.

All four are in the five-nation shortlist for the National Team of the Year category which is completed by Senegal. The votes will be close but South Africa might just nick it on the basis of being the current African champions if that becomes a factor.

Kaylin Swart and Andile Dlamini, who was on the bench for the World Cup, both feature in the Goalkeeper of the Year category. The brilliant Khadija Er-Rmichi who has been exceptional for AS FAR is a strong contender here.

The FIFA World Cup participants fill up the Player of the Year category with perennial nominee Asisat Oshoala also on the shortlist. Oshoala came off the bench during the Australi/New Zealand tournament but has been solid at her club as always.

Here is the full list of shortlisted nominees.

Player of the Year (Women)

1.       Ajara Nchout Njoya (Cameroon, Internazionale Milano)

2.       Anissa Lahmari (Morocco, Levante Las Planas)

3.       Fatima Tagnaout (Morocco, AS FAR)

4.       Ghizlaine Chebbak (Morocco, AS FAR)

5.       Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria, Barcelona)

6.       Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria, Paris FC)

7.       Andile Dlamini (South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns)

8.       Hilda Magaia (South Africa, Sejong Sportstoto)

9.       Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa, Racing Louisville)

10.    Barbara Banda (Zambia, Shanghai Shengli)

Goalkeeper of the Year (Women)

1.       Imane Abdelahad (Morocco, SC Casablanca)

2.       Khadija Er-Rmichi (Morocco, AS FAR)

3.       Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria, Paris FC)

4.       Andile Dlamini (South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns)

5.       Kaylin Swart (South Africa, JVW)

Interclub Player of the Year (Women)

1.       Refilwe Tholakele (Botswana, Mamelodi Sundowns)

2.       Comfort Yeboah (Ghana, Ampem Darkoa)

3.       Fatima Tagnaout (Morocco, AS FAR)

4.       Ghizlaine Chebbak (Morocco, AS FAR)

5.       Lebohang Ramalepe (South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns)

 Young Player of the Year (not more than 21 years)

1.       Comfort Yeboah (Ghana, Ampem Darkoa)

2.       Nesryne El Chad (Morocco, Lille)

3.       Deborah Abiodun (Nigeria, Pittsburg Panthers)

4.       Esther Opeyemi Ajakaye (Nigeria, Delta Queens)

5.       Thubelihle Shamase (South Africa, University of Johannesburg FC)

Coach of the Year (Women)

1.       Mehdi El Qaichouri (SC Casablanca)

2.       Reynald Pedros (Morocco)

3.       Randy Waldrum (Nigeria)

4.       Desiree Ellis (South Africa)

5.       Jerry Tshabalala (Mamelodi Sundowns)

National Team of the Year (Women)

1.       Morocco

2.       Nigeria

3.       Senegal

4.       South Africa

5.       Zambia

Club of the Year (Women)

1.       Ampem Darkoa (Ghana)

2.       AS FAR (Morocco)

3.       SC Casablanca (Morocco)

4.       Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)

5.       JKT Queens (Tanzania)