Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak has been named the CAF Women’s Player of the Year for 2025, beating Super Falcons attacker Rasheedat Ajibade and compatriot Sanaa Mssoudy, Soccernet.ng reports.
Last month, the Confederation of African Football revealed ten-woman shortlist for the CAF Women’s Player of the Year Award, and Super Falcons stars Esther Okoronkwo and Ajibade made the cut.
The rest were Portia Boakye, Tabitha Chawinga, Temwa Chawinga, Ghizlane Chebbak, Mama Diop, Sanaa Mssoudy, Barbra Banda, and Racheal Kundananji.
Then, on Sunday, they cut the list down to three finalists－ Ajibade, Chebbak, and Mssoudy. This caused quite an uproar because Okoronkwo, who was seen as a favourite, by virtue of her Women’s Africa Cup of Nations performance, was excluded.
() – #CAFAwards2025 pic.twitter.com/AHtzjLwwVL
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) November 16, 2025
Okoronkwo was Nigeria best performer at the WAFCON. She was the major catalyst for the Super Falcons in the final against Morocco, but she was ultimately snubbed.
The awards ceremony was held in Rabat, Morocco on Wednesday evening. And it had in attendance some of the biggest stars and legends of the African game.
Disappointment For Rasheedat Ajibade As Chebbak Wins The CAF Women’s POTY
Rasheed Ajibade was expected to be named the CAF Women’s Player of Year for 2025. However, Nigerian fans were shocked, as Ghizlane Chebbak of Morocco won the award.
Recall that the Super Falcons skipper was instrumental to Nigeria’s success in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.
She registered two assists and one goal in the competition and carted home the Player of the Tournament award.
Ajibade also had a good campaign with her former club Atletico Madrid Femeni. She contributed seven goals and three assists in 22 league games to help them to a third-place finish in the league.
However, it did not work out as expected, as Chebbak was crowned the Queen of African football.
Captain. Leader. Winner.
Ghizlane Chebbak. The Women’s Player of the Year! #CAFAwards2025 pic.twitter.com/omcUUXvrxv
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) November 19, 2025
The Moroccan Lionesses captain was important during the WAFCON. She registered five goals in the tournament, including one against the Super Falcons in the final, albeit they lost.