Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali and defender Daniel Bameyi have been included among the shortlisted nominees for the 2025 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards.
Nwabali, who has been a steady presence for the Super Eagles and his club, was named as a contender for the Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year. His performances this season including key displays for his country earned him the recognition.
Bameyi, serving as captain of the Flying Eagles (Nigeria U-20), was shortlisted for the Young Player of the Year his leadership and consistency at youth international level made him a standout candidate.
Nigeria thus secured multiple individual nominations, reflecting the strong personal campaigns of its players during the 2025 season.
Editorial
When Nigerian players earn continental nominations, it is far more than an honour it is affirmation that their work, commitment and impact have crossed national borders and resonated on the African stage. Nwabali’s inclusion among the top goalkeepers and Bameyi’s among the leading young players are both milestones not just for each man, but for Nigerian football’s horizon.
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For Stanley Nwabali, this nod serves as both reward and responsibility. Goalkeepers often operate in the shadows until decisive moments clean sheets, penalty saves, commanding presence. His recognition now puts him in the light, and with that comes expectation. Will he be able to build on this and solidify his place as one of Africa’s elite.
For Daniel Bameyi, young but purposeful, the nomination places him among the continent’s most promising talents. But in youth football especially, nominations are less meaningful than progression. He must now translate this recognition into further growth consistent performances, taking initiative, and stepping out from the “rising star” category into that of established contributor.
More broadly, Nigerian football must view these nominations strategically. They reflect individual success—but collective ambition must follow. If our players are being nominated, the next step is seeing them win, influence teams, lead nations. The nominations are stepping-stones, not summits.
In the dynamic of African football, where talent is abundant but stability and impact are rarer, Nigeria must convert recognition into results. Nwabali and Bameyi’s nominations give us reason to believe but the challenge now is to deliver.
Did You Know?
- Stanley Nwabali is among the ten nominees for the CAF Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year award for 2025.
- Daniel Bameyi, aged 19, earned his nomination for the CAF Young Player of the Year after captaining Nigeria’s U-20 side and performing at key tournaments.
- The nomination period for the 2025 CAF Awards covers performances between 6 January and 15 October 2025, across club and country.
- Nigeria’s presence in this year’s nominations is limited to three players Osimhen (Player of the Year), Nwabali (Goalkeeper), and Bameyi (Young Player) highlighting how selective the recognition is.
- Despite strong individual nominations, Nigeria’s national team did not make the shortlist for the CAF National Team of the Year category this year—underscoring the gap between individual and collective success.
