By Newsmata
Who steps in as Africa’s Football Queen as Nigeria’s iconic player, Asisat Oshoala prepares to pass on the crown at the 2024 CAF Women’s Player of the Year Awards taking place today (Monday December 16) at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco at 19h00 local time (18h00 GMT)?
Africa, indeed the global football community, is in great suspense who becomes the 11th different winner of this prestigious award which promises to be a celebration of the finest talents in African football.
Newsmata.com.ng reports that following a meticulous voting process, three finalists emerged namely: Zambia’s Barbra Banda, Morocco’s Sanaâ Mssoudy, and Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie. These three players have dazzled fans and dominated headlines throughout 2024, each leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
Barbra Banda of Zambia had a stellar year that cemented her reputation as one of the game’s greatest forwards. Representing Orlando Pride in the U.S., Banda became the second-most expensive player in women’s football history and didn’t disappoint. She scored 17 goals in 25 games during her first National Women’s Soccer League season, including the decisive goal in the playoffs final, earning her the league’s MVP title.
Earlier in the year, she made history at the Paris Olympics, scoring her third career hat-trick in the competition, a feat unmatched in the tournament’s history.
For Morocco, Sanaâ Mssoudy proved to be a game-changer for AS FAR and a beacon of hope for African women’s football. Her electrifying performances in the CAF Women’s Champions League earned her the Best Player award and carried her team to the final. Mssoudy’s ability to control games with her vision, technique, and leadership elevated her as one of the continent’s brightest stars in 2024, inspiring fans and players alike.
Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie also delivered a commanding year in goal, anchoring Paris FC’s success in France’s Division 1 Féminine. With a clean sheet rate of 33%, the 24-year-old was named Goalkeeper of the Season for the 2023/24 campaign, helping her side secure a third-place league finish. Her heroic saves were not limited to club football, as she represented Nigeria at the Paris Olympics, further solidifying her reputation as one of the world’s premier goalkeepers.
As the clock ticks down to the CAF Awards, all eyes are on these three exceptional players who have embodied excellence, resilience, and passion. The crowning of Africa’s next football queen will not only honor individual brilliance but also celebrate the continent’s growing influence in women’s football.
Who will take the throne and carry the legacy of African football forward? The answer awaits in Marrakech.