Super Falcons Win ‘Women’s National Team of the Year’ for the Third Year in a Row at 2025 CAF Awards
Nigeria’s Super Falcons have clinched the CAF Women’s National Team of the Year award for 2025, marking their third straight victory and seventh overall after a stunning 3-2 comeback win over hosts Morocco in the WAFCON final. The Rabat ceremony celebrated their dominance, edging out Ghana’s Black Queens and Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses. With Chiamaka Nnadozie’s third goalkeeper nod, Nigeria shines amid a Moroccan sweep in other categories. Dive into the triumphs, reactions, and implications for women’s football in Africa.
RABAT, Morocco – Nigeria’s Super Falcons soared to new heights at the 2025 CAF Awards, securing the Women’s National Team of the Year title for the third consecutive year and seventh time overall. The honor, announced on November 19 at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, crowns a remarkable season capped by their record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) triumph. In a ceremony blending celebration and reflection, the Falcons’ resilience shone through, outshining Ghana’s Black Queens and hosts Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses. (58 words)
A Historic Hat-Trick: Third Straight Win and Unmatched Legacy
The Super Falcons’ latest accolade isn’t just a repeat—it’s a testament to sustained excellence in a landscape where consistency is rare. CAF voters, including national team coaches, captains, and media, recognized their 2025 campaign as the pinnacle of African women’s football. This marks the third year running they’ve claimed the prize (2023-2025), following earlier victories in 2010, 2014, 2016, and 2018. No other team has matched this frequency, underscoring Nigeria’s blueprint for success: blending veteran savvy with emerging talent.
Head coach Justine Madugu, who took the reins in 2024, called the award “a collective dream realized.” The Falcons’ journey included navigating a grueling WAFCON group stage and a semi-final thriller against South Africa, setting the stage for their final drama. CAF President Patrice Motsepe presented the trophy, praising the team’s role in elevating the women’s game continent-wide.
The WAFCON Masterclass: Comeback Kings in Morocco
At the heart of the Falcons’ award lies their August 2024 WAFCON heroics in Morocco, where they defied odds to lift the trophy for a record 10th time. Trailing 2-0 at halftime in the final against the host Atlas Lionesses, Nigeria mounted a stunning second-half rally. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade’s equalizer sparked a three-goal surge in 24 minutes, sealed by a late winner from substitute Jennifer Echegini, ending 3-2.
This wasn’t isolated brilliance. The Falcons topped their group unbeaten, conceding just once, and showcased depth with 22 different scorers across the tournament. Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie’s penalty heroics in the semis earned her a third straight CAF Goalkeeper of the Year nod, announced the same night. Their campaign, watched by over 500 million globally per CAF estimates, boosted attendance by 40% from 2022, signaling women’s football’s rising appeal.
- Key WAFCON Highlights:
- Record 10th title, extending lead over Equatorial Guinea (8).
- Comeback final: 3 goals in second half vs. Morocco.
- Unbeaten run: 6 wins, 1 draw in qualifiers and tournament.
- Standout stars: Ajibade (3 goals), Nnadozie (4 clean sheets).
These feats not only secured the award but positioned Nigeria as favorites for the 2027 World Cup qualifiers.
Rivals in the Rearview: Edging Ghana and Morocco
The shortlist reflected Africa’s deepening talent pool, but the Falcons’ silverware edge proved decisive. Ghana’s Black Queens earned bronze with a gritty third-place win over South Africa—their first WAFCON medal since 2018—under new coach Mercy Tagoe-Quartey. Their resurgence, including a quarter-final upset of Zambia, marked a return to form after missing recent editions.
Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses, as hosts and runners-up, brought home strong credentials: back-to-back WAFCON finals (2022, 2024) and a quarter-final at the 2023 World Cup. Yet, the final loss to Nigeria highlighted the Falcons’ clutch factor. CAF noted the vote was close, with Nigeria’s 10 titles tipping the scales.
This trifecta of nominees—Nigeria, Ghana, Morocco—signals a West-North African axis driving progress, with East and Southern sides like Zambia and Banyana Banyana lurking.
Nigerian Double Delight: Nnadozie’s Hat-Trick and Broader Accolades
The Falcons’ night doubled in joy with Chiamaka Nnadozie’s third consecutive Goalkeeper award, her penalty saves in the WAFCON semis a highlight. Nigeria’s U-17 Flamingos also contended for Young Women’s Player via captain Shakirat Moshood, though Morocco’s Doha El Madani prevailed.
In a Moroccan-dominated gala—Achraf Hakimi and Ghizlane Chebbak took men’s and women’s player honors—the Falcons’ team win stood as Africa’s beacon. Ademola Lookman grabbed the men’s interclub prize, but women’s focus remained on the Falcons’ collective.
- Nigeria’s 2025 CAF Haul:
- Women’s National Team: Super Falcons (3rd straight).
- Goalkeeper (Women): Chiamaka Nnadozie (3rd straight).
- Interclub (Men): Ademola Lookman (Atalanta).
- Young Player Nominee: Shakirat Moshood (Flamingos, runner-up).
These nods reflect the NFF’s investments, including a N500 million WAFCON budget.
Fan Frenzy and Social Media Storm: Pride Sweeps X
News of the win ignited X, with CAF’s official post—”Records? Set. Awards? Won!”—amassing over 50,000 likes and shares. Users like @Oxy_stealth hailed: “Proud is an understatement,” while @Faadthepundit tallied the streak with emojis. Outlets such as @poshreportersng and @AtlDigest amplified coverage, trending #SuperFalcons and #CAFAwards2025 in Nigeria.
Ghanaian fans conceded gracefully, with @GHANAsoccernet noting the Queens’ “delight” in shortlisting. Broader discourse praised the award’s timing ahead of Olympic qualifiers, urging better domestic support.
Road Ahead: Olympics, World Cup, and Growing the Game
With the 2026 Olympics looming, the Falcons eye a return after missing Paris 2024. Their WAFCON momentum positions them strongly against Zambia in qualifiers. Long-term, CAF’s push for a biennial WAFCON and expanded Club World Cup offers new stages.
Challenges persist: Funding gaps and league underdevelopment hinder talent pipelines. Yet, this trifecta inspires, as Madugu eyes a dynasty. As Ajibade posted post-ceremony: “For the girls watching—dream big.”
In closing, the Super Falcons’ third straight Women’s National Team of the Year award immortalizes their WAFCON wizardry and unyielding spirit, outpacing fierce rivals while lighting Africa’s women’s football path. As they gear for global battles, this honor isn’t an endpoint—it’s fuel for more records, proving Nigeria’s queens reign supreme.
For complete CAF Awards highlights, visit CAF Online.