Esther Okoronkwo CAF Award hopes dashed as she misses 2025 Women’s Player shortlist despite stellar season for Nigeria and AFC Toronto

Super Falcons forward Esther Okoronkwo has expressed disappointment after being omitted from the final shortlist for the 2025 CAF Women’s Player of the Year award, despite a remarkable season for club and country.

Also read: Chinwendu Ihezuo Opens Up on Her Career and Super Falcons Pride

Okoronkwo, who initially featured in the 10-player provisional list alongside Africa’s top talent, was widely expected to make the final three nominees.

However, when CAF announced the shortlist on Sunday, her name was absent. The nominees are Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade and Morocco’s Ghizlaine Chebbak and Sanaa Mssoudy.

Reacting on Instagram on Monday, Okoronkwo acknowledged the snub but emphasised that her focus remains on her performance on the pitch rather than external accolades.

“Awards don’t always reflect reality, but the pitch never lies,” she wrote. “I remain grateful for the support across Africa. CAF’s decision is noted, but my focus stays on the pitch where recognition is earned, not awarded.”

Okoronkwo’s 2025 campaign has been exceptional. She played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s historic 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title, finishing with two goals and six assists, including a Player of the Match performance in the final against Morocco.

In that decisive match, she converted a penalty to equalise and provided two crucial assists to secure Nigeria’s 3–2 victory.

At club level, Okoronkwo was instrumental in AFC Toronto’s triumph in the inaugural Northern Super League Supporters’ Shield.

She recorded eight goals and seven assists, finishing as the league’s top provider.

Her decisive assist in a 2–1 win over Montreal Roses sealed the historic title for both the club and the player, making her the first African and one of only six foreign players to lift the NSL Shield.

CAF’s Women’s Player of the Year award recognises the continent’s best performers between January 6 and October 15, 2025.

Alongside Rasheedat Ajibade, Okoronkwo had been tipped to challenge Morocco’s Ghizlaine Chebbak and Sanaa Mssoudy for the honour, given her combined domestic and international achievements.

Despite the omission, Okoronkwo’s influence remains undeniable. She contributed directly to over 20 goals across all competitions in 2025, winning two major trophies: WAFCON and the NSL Shield.

Her creativity, consistency, and decisive interventions make her one of Africa’s standout footballers.

By comparison, other nominees have delivered strong campaigns but fall short of Okoronkwo’s combined impact.

Also read: Chinwendu Ihezuo Opens Up on Her Career and Super Falcons Pride

Malawi’s Temwa Chawinga scored 15 goals and provided three assists for Kansas City Current, while Zambia’s Barbra Banda managed eight goals and two assists for Orlando Pride, without securing any silverware.