Confederation of African Football
Chiamaka on the cusp of history
In line for first Goalkeeper to become Africa Women’s Player of the Year
Image Credit: CAFonline
By Ed Emeanua
Nigeria and Paris FC goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, is on the cusp of becoming the first goalkeeper to be crowned Africa Women’s Player of the Year.
Nnadozie and four other players are the final nominees unveiled by Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) for the coveted best woman player of the continent award.
The others vying with Nnadozie for the prestigious CAF Women’s Player of the Year include the sensational Malawian sisters forward Tabitha Chawinga of Lyon and Temwa Chawinga who plays for Kansas City Current, Morocco and AS FAR forward Sanaâ Mssoudy, and Zambia and Orlando Pride striker Barbra Banda.
Since its inception in 2001, no goalkeeper has been awarded the eventual nominee of CAF Women’s Player of the Year.
Former Ghanaian midfielder and captain Adjoa Bayor (2003) and versatile South Africa defender and striker Noko Matlou (2008), who currently plays for Spanish Primera Federación side CP Cacereño Femenino as a defender, are past awardees who have broken the mold.
Except the above mentioned duo, all past awards of the category of CAF Women’s Player of the Year have gone to individuals who play for club and country as either strikers or forwards.
According to CAFonline: “Five outstanding players have been shortlisted for the prestigious CAF Women’s Player of the Year,
“This year’s nominees reflect the excellence in women’s football across the continent after their impressive performances at club and national team level.
“The CAF Goalkeeper of the Year category includes five exceptional shot-stoppers while the Interclub Player of the Year category highlights five standout performers who shone during continental competitions.
“Emerging talents are celebrated in the CAF Young Player of the Year category featuring top nominees, while the CAF Women’s Coach of the Year category honors the technical brilliance of five coaches.
“The awards also recognize the contributions of national teams and clubs.
“The nominees for CAF Women’s National Team of the Year are Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and the Cameroon Under-20 side, while Club of the Year contenders include TP Mazembe (DR Congo), AS FAR (Morocco), and Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa).
“The winners of each category will be determined through votes from the CAF Technical Committee, media professionals, head coaches and captains of Member Associations, as well as clubs participating in the group stages of Interclub competitions.
The Nigerian goalkeeper is the reigning CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year awardee. She won the category of the award in 2023 and is also among the final five individuals that have been selected for the award this year.
The others vying for the award with her in the goalkeeping category are: Fideline Ngoy (DR Congo / TP Mazembe), Habiba Sabry (Egypt / FC Masar), Khadija Er-Rmichi (Morocco / AS FAR), and Andile Dlamini (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns).
The 2024 CAF Awards cover the period from January to October this year. The ceremony is to be staged on 16 December, 2024 in Marrakech, Morocco.
Full List of Nominees (in alphabetical order by Member Association):
Player of the Year (Women)
Credit: CAFonline
1. Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi / Olympique Lyonnais)
2. Temwa Chawinga (Malawi / Kansas City Current)
3. Sanaâ Mssoudy (Morocco / AS FAR)
4. Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria / Paris FC)
5. Barbra Banda (Zambia / Orlando Pride)
Goalkeeper of the Year (Women)
1. Fideline Ngoy (DR Congo / TP Mazembe)
2. Habiba Sabry (Egypt / FC Masar)
3. Khadija Er-Rmichi (Morocco / AS FAR)
4. Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria / Paris FC)
5. Andile Dlamini (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)
Interclub Player of the Year (Women)
1. Merveille Nanguji (DR Congo / TP Mazembe)
2. Lacho Flora Marta (DR Congo / TP Mazembe)
3. Doha El Madani (Morocco / AS FAR)
4. Khadija Er-Rmichi (Morocco / AS FAR)
5. Sanaâ Mssoudy (Morocco / AS FAR)
Young Player of the Year (Women)
1. Habiba Sabry (Egypt / FC Masar)
2. Doha El Madani (Morocco / AS FAR)
3. Lina Mokhtar Jamai (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain)
4. Chiamaka Okwuchukwu (Nigeria / Rivers Angels)
5. Nthabiseng Majiya (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)
Coach of the Year (Women)
1. Lamia Boumehdi (TP Mazembe)
2. Ahmed Ramadan (FC Masar)
3. Mohamed Amine Alioua (AS FAR)
4. Chris Danjuma (Nigeria U-20)
5. Thinasonke Mbuli (University of the Western Cape)
National Team of the Year (Women)
1. Cameroon U-20
2. Morocco
3. Nigeria
4. South Africa
5. Zambia
Club of the Year (Women)
1. TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
2. FC Masar (Egypt)
3. AS FAR (Morocco)
4. Edo Queens (Nigeria)
5. Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
Confederation of African Football
New Media and TV Rights for CAF
Body Announces Agreements for 2024/25 CAF Inter-club season
CAF Inter-club Image credit: CAFonline
The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) today announced new media rights and TV agreements for the 2024/25 CAF Inter-club Competitions following a successful bidding process for the pay TV (English) and Free to Air (all languages) in Sub-Saharan African territory.
The rights include African football’s premium Club competitions: TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2024/25, TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup 2024/25, CAF Women’s Champions League 2024 and TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup 2025.
CAF reached agreements with SuperSport International for the Pay TV rights (in English) and South African Broadcasting Corporation (“SABC”) and Azam Media for the Free to Air (“FTA”) rights.
The CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe said: “The exponential growth and global competitiveness of football in Africa has resulted in substantial interest from major African and international broadcasters in African Football.
“SuperSport, SABC and Azam Media have been participating competitively in the CAF Media Rights bids. CAF welcomes them all as partners, joining a number of CAF’s Media Rights holders. We are committed to ensuring that CAF’s Competitions including its Broadcast products are world class.”
The TV Audiences during the 2023/24 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League grew by over 25% in North Africa while East Africa and Southern Africa saw growth of over 40% in both TV Audiences and digital engagement.
Confederation of African Football
CAF launches ‘’Protect The Dream’’ campaign
Takes decisive step in fight against player trafficking and exploitation
“Protect The Dream” Image credit: CAFonline
Football ignites passion in millions of individuals in Africa. Everyone, especially the youngest participants, deserves to experience football in a secure and nurturing atmosphere.
With the scourging rise in the exploitation of young African talent, the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has ramped up its preventative measures with the launch of its safeguarding initiative for the well-being and integrity of African football players, #ProtectTheDream.
This ongoing educational drive aims to raise awareness of the risks of player trafficking and exploitation. It also provides tools to build the confidence of young football players through communication training, promotes the health and well-being of both male and female players, and works towards creating a safe and supportive environment for all players.
Gradually introduced at the recent CAF African Schools Football Championship Continental Finals in Zanzibar, the #ProtectTheDream campaign will be anchored by African football legends, Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo), Amanda Dlamini (South Africa) and Daniel Amokachi (Nigeria), amongst others who will all play an active role alongside CAF in driving awareness on its fight against player trafficking.
#ProtectTheDream forms part of a number of collaborative programmes spearheaded by CAF that are aimed at creating a safe and nurturing environment for young African football talent to thrive.
Earlier this year, CAF partnered with Mission 89 – an internationally recognized research, education, and advocacy organization that fights the exploitation of young athletes. The partnership saw CAF conducting Safeguarding and Anti-Player Trafficking workshops with all its 54 Member Associations and Zonal Unions.
“This is an exemplary step taken by CAF in its fight against Player Trafficking. Football has proven to be a tool to change lives, including mine, and fake agents have used this knowledge to prey on Africa’s talent. It is therefore important that CAF, using the power of football, takes such a stand with the launch of Protect the Dream to safeguard the future of African football,” said Adebayor.
Young and senior football players, parents, guardians and academies across the continent are urged to engage with the educational campaign, which will be packaged in various consumable formats, including conferences, workshops, videos, podcasts, and other engaging online content that will be easily accessible across CAF platforms.
CAF will soon announce its collaboration partners who will join the campaign in safeguarding the well-being and integrity of the players.
Confederation of African Football
Al Ahly, ES Tunis, others eye CCL progress
As stage is set for the second leg of the second preliminary round
