The Super Falcons of Nigeria have once again been recognized for their exceptional achievements in African football, earning a prestigious nomination for the CAF Women’s National Team of the Year Award. The announcement, made by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), celebrates the outstanding performances of women’s national teams across the continent within the past year.
This latest recognition places the Super Falcons among Africa’s elite, highlighting their continued dominance, consistency, and impact on the growth of women’s football both regionally and globally.
Super Falcons: Africa’s Most Successful Women’s Team
The Super Falcons’ nomination comes as no surprise to many followers of African football. Nigeria’s women’s team has long been regarded as the most successful national side on the continent, boasting a record 10 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) titles—a feat no other nation has matched.
In 2025, the Falcons added another chapter to their glorious history by clinching their 10th WAFCON trophy in Rabat, Morocco. The victory, which came after a thrilling 3–2 comeback win against the hosts Morocco in the final, cemented their reputation as the queens of African football.
Despite going two goals down in the first half, the team displayed remarkable resilience and tactical brilliance under coach Justine Madugu, turning the game around with goals from Esther Okoronkwo and Rasheedat Ajibade. The triumph, dubbed “Mission X”, marked Nigeria’s successful quest for their tenth continental title, reinforcing their dominance in African women’s football.
CAF’s Recognition of Excellence
The CAF Awards celebrate the best talents, teams, and administrators in African football annually. The Women’s National Team of the Year category is particularly significant, recognizing national teams that have demonstrated exceptional performance, consistency, and impact.
For 2025, the Super Falcons are joined on the nomination list by Morocco, South Africa, Ghana, Mali, and Tanzania. These teams have made notable progress in both regional and continental competitions, reflecting the increasing competitiveness of women’s football across Africa.
Interestingly, Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, were also nominated in the same category, underscoring the nation’s impressive football development structure that continues to produce talent across generations.
A Legacy of CAF Honors
The Super Falcons are no strangers to CAF’s awards stage. Over the years, they have won the Women’s National Team of the Year award multiple times, including back-to-back victories in 2023 and 2024. Their consistent presence among the finalists demonstrates their sustained excellence in African football.
In 2023, Nigeria was recognized after an impressive showing at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, where they reached the round of 16 and exited the competition unbeaten in regulation time. Their performances against top teams such as Canada, Australia, and England drew global praise for their discipline, tactical organization, and fearless approach.
The following year, in 2024, the Falcons continued to dominate continental competitions, setting the stage for their 2025 WAFCON glory and this fresh CAF nomination.
Why Nigeria Deserves the Nomination
The Super Falcons’ CAF nomination is a testament to several key factors that define their success story.
1. Unmatched Consistency
Nigeria has qualified for every edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations since its inception in 1991, winning ten titles and finishing as runners-up or semi-finalists in the remaining tournaments. Their consistency is unmatched by any other African team, both in terms of longevity and achievement.
2. Strong Player Development Structure
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has continued to invest in the women’s game, ensuring that the national team remains competitive. The presence of several Nigerian players in top European leagues—including Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade, Chiamaka Nnadozie, and Jennifer Echegini—has strengthened the team’s quality and global visibility.
3. Leadership and Team Spirit
Under the guidance of Coach Justine Madugu, the Falcons have shown renewed tactical discipline and cohesion. Madugu, who took over the team in late 2024, emphasized youth inclusion, fitness, and tactical flexibility, blending experience with emerging stars. This balance was evident in the WAFCON campaign and has been key to their continued success.
4. Record-Breaking Performances
Nigeria’s comeback victory over Morocco in the 2025 WAFCON final is one of the defining moments of African women’s football. The Falcons’ ability to recover from setbacks and deliver results on big occasions has made them a model for other teams.
5. Global Representation
Beyond Africa, the Super Falcons have consistently represented the continent at the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Olympic Games, often outperforming their African counterparts. Their success has inspired new generations of African girls to pursue football professionally.
Star Players Who Made It Happen
The Falcons’ journey in 2025 has been powered by several standout players who have combined skill, leadership, and determination.
- Asisat Oshoala, one of Africa’s most decorated female footballers, remains a vital presence in the team. Her experience and goal-scoring prowess have been invaluable both on and off the pitch.
- Rasheedat Ajibade, the dynamic forward and current team captain, has emerged as a leader for the new generation. Her performances in major tournaments have earned her recognition as one of Africa’s best attacking players.
- Chiamaka Nnadozie, Nigeria’s number one goalkeeper, has been a rock in goal. Known for her commanding presence and penalty-saving heroics, she has established herself as one of the best goalkeepers in women’s football worldwide.
- Esther Okoronkwo and Jennifer Echegini have brought youthful energy and creativity, giving Nigeria more attacking depth and unpredictability.
Together, these players represent the evolution of the Super Falcons—mixing experience, youth, and professionalism to maintain dominance.
The Competition: Africa’s Best Rise to the Challenge
While Nigeria enters the CAF Awards as a favorite, competition for the Women’s National Team of the Year title remains fierce.
Morocco, the WAFCON 2025 runners-up, have made giant strides in recent years, bolstered by heavy investment in women’s football infrastructure and a growing local league.
South Africa’s Banyana Banyana, winners of the 2022 WAFCON, remain strong contenders as they continue to rebuild under coach Desiree Ellis, maintaining a consistent presence in continental tournaments.
Ghana, Mali, and Tanzania have also made notable progress, with improved youth systems and rising performances in regional competitions.
The growing competitiveness reflects the positive transformation of African women’s football, driven by CAF’s commitment to development programs and investment in the women’s game.
Looking Ahead: What the Nomination Means for Nigeria
For Nigeria, the CAF nomination is both a recognition of past achievements and a challenge to sustain excellence in the future.
Winning the Women’s National Team of the Year award once again would solidify the Super Falcons’ reputation as Africa’s most dominant women’s team and a benchmark for success. It would also provide a morale boost as they prepare for upcoming competitions, including the 2026 WAFCON qualifiers and the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Furthermore, it reinforces Nigeria’s leadership role in African football development. With both the senior team and the U-17 Flamingos nominated, the country continues to demonstrate that its women’s football system is thriving from grassroots to elite level.
The Road Ahead: Sustaining Dominance
To maintain their edge, the Super Falcons must continue to invest in youth development, coaching, and player welfare. The growing competitiveness in African women’s football means the gap between Nigeria and other nations is narrowing. Continuous improvement, infrastructure investment, and administrative stability will be key to retaining their continental dominance.
Coach Madugu and his technical crew are already planning ahead, focusing on scouting and integrating emerging talents from both local and international leagues. There is also ongoing collaboration between the NFF and global partners to secure high-quality friendlies that will expose the team to tougher challenges.
Conclusion
The Super Falcons’ nomination for the CAF Women’s National Team of the Year Award is a well-deserved recognition of their excellence, resilience, and leadership in African football. Their historic tenth WAFCON triumph, consistent global presence, and rich legacy have made them a symbol of hope and pride for Nigeria and Africa at large.
As the CAF Awards ceremony approaches, all eyes will be on the Falcons—Africa’s queens of the pitch—who continue to inspire millions with their courage, unity, and indomitable spirit. Whether they win or not, their place in African football history remains unshakable.
The Super Falcons are not just a team—they are a legacy in motion, a story of excellence that continues to define the future of women’s football on the continent.
