For the first time since the inception of the CAF Women's Player of the Year award in 2001, no Nigerian player has been nominated for the prestigious accolade. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced the nominations on November 2, 2026, highlighting a significant shift in the landscape of women's football in Nigeria.

This year's nominations come on the heels of a disappointing performance by the Super Falcons at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, where the team failed to secure a spot in the upcoming Women's World Cup. The absence of Nigerian players from the nomination list underscores the challenges facing the Super Falcons, who have long been a dominant force in African women's football.

The nominees for the 2026 CAF Women's Player of the Year include notable players such as Malawian sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga, as well as Cameroon's Marie Ngah Manga, Michaely Bihina, and Monique Ngock. Other contenders are Zambia's Barbra Banda, South Africa's Thembi Kgatlana, Morocco's Hanane Ait El Haj, Algeria's Marine Dafeur, and Ghana's Portia Boakye. This diverse list reflects the growing talent across the continent, but it also highlights Nigeria's current struggles.

Despite the absence of individual nominations, Nigeria still garnered recognition in other categories at the CAF Awards. The Super Falcons have been shortlisted for the Women's National Team of the Year award, a testament to their historical achievements in African football. Additionally, young talents Janet Akekoromowei and Oluwakemi Adegbuyi have been nominated for the Young Talent prize, while Christiana Uzoma, the goalkeeper for Edo Queens, is in contention for the Goalkeeper award.

The 2026 CAF Awards ceremony is set to take place on December 7 at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, where the winners across various categories will be celebrated. As the Super Falcons look to rebuild and regain their status in African women's football, this year's nominations serve as a wake-up call for the team and its supporters.