Okuchukwu Shines: Rivers Angel Nominated for CAF Young Player Award

A wave of excitement has swept through the Nigerian football community as Chiamaka Okuchukwu, a rising star from the Rivers Angels, has been nominated for the prestigious CAF Young Player of the Year award. This recognition is a testament to her exceptional talent and consistent performances both domestically and internationally.

Hailing from the vibrant city of Port Harcourt, Okuchukwu has quickly established herself as one of the most promising young talents in African women’s football. Her technical prowess, tactical intelligence, and goal-scoring ability have been instrumental in Rivers Angels’ success. Her nomination for the CAF Young Player of the Year award is a well-deserved recognition of her hard work and dedication.

The talented midfielder will be competing against other promising young players from across Africa. This includes Valerie Nekesa from Kenya, who made history by scoring Kenya’s first-ever goal at a FIFA World Cup. As the competition for the award intensifies, Okuchukwu and her fellow nominees will be eager to showcase their skills and impress the judges.

The 2024 CAF Awards, scheduled to take place in Marrakech, Morocco on December 16th, 2024, will recognize the best African football players and coaches. As the countdown to the ceremony begins, fans and football enthusiasts alike are eagerly awaiting the outcome and hoping to see Okuchukwu claim the coveted Young Player of the Year title. 

This nomination is not just a personal achievement for Okuchukwu but also a significant milestone for Nigerian women’s football. It highlights the growing talent pool in the country and the increasing recognition of Nigerian players on the global stage. As Okuchukwu continues to shine, she inspires young girls and women to pursue their dreams in football and strive for excellence.

The CAF Awards ceremony promises to be a thrilling event, celebrating the achievements of the best African football players and coaches. With Okuchukwu’s nomination, Nigeria’s hopes are high for another successful year at the continental level. 

Full List of Nominees

Player of the Year

• Sandrine Niyonkuru (Burundi / FC Masar)
• Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi / Olympique Lyonnais)
• Temwa Chawinga (Malawi / Kansas City)
• Sanaa Mssoudy (Morocco / AS FAR)
• Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria / Paris FC)
• Rasheedat Ajibade (Nigeria / Atletico Madrid)
• Jermaine Seoposenwe (South Africa / Monterrey)
• Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa / Tigres UANL)
• Barbara Banda (Zambia / Orlando Pride)
• Racheal Kundananji (Zambia / Bay FC)

Goalkeeper of the Year

• Cathy Biya (Cameroon / Eclair)
• Fideline Ngoy (DR Congo / TP Mazembe)
• Habiba Sabry (Egypt / FC Masar)
• Fatima El Jebraoui (Morocco / Wydad Athletic Club)
• Khadija Er-Rmichi Morocco / AS FAR)
• Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria / Paris FC)
• Monle Oyono (Nigeria / Edo Queens)
• Andile Dlamini (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)
• Thandeka Ngcobo (South Africa / University of the Western Cape)
• Catherine Musonda (Zambia / Indeni Roses)

Interclub Player of the Year

• Sandrine Niyonkuru (Burundi / FC Masar)
• Merveille Nanguji (DR Congo / TP Mazembe)
• Lacho Flora Marta (DR Congo / TP Mazembe)
• Doha El Madani (Morocco / AS FAR)
• Khadija Er-Rmichi Morocco / AS FAR)
• Sanaa Mssoudy (Morocco / AS FAR)
• Emem Essien (Nigeria / Edo Queens)
• Monle Oyono (Nigeria / Edo Queens)
• Amogelang Motau (University of the Western Cape)
• Shadia Nankya (Uganda /FC Masar)

Young Player of the Year

• Cathy Biya (Cameroon / Eclair)
• Naomi Eto (Cameroon / Amazone FAP)
• Habiba Sabry (Egypt /FC Masar)
• Stella Nyamekye (Ghana / Dreamz Ladies)
• Valerie Nekesa (Kenya / Madira Girls)
• Doha El Madani (Morocco / AS FAR)
• Lina Mokhtar Jamai (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain)
• Chiamaka Okuchukwu (Nigeria / Rivers Angels)
• Flourish Sabastine (Nigeria / Stade de Reims)
• Nthabiseng Majiya (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)