Victor Osimhen will not be in Rabat tonight for the CAF Awards, as the Super Eagles striker has been ordered back to Galatasaray for a medical scan on the hamstring injury he picked up during Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying campaign.
Osimhen, who lifted the African Player of the Year trophy in 2023, had been shortlisted again this year alongside Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi.
Instead of preparing for the spotlight in Morocco, the former Napoli striker is expected to undergo an MRI scan to determine the severity of the injury.
He was replaced at halftime during Nigeria’s loss to DR Congo in Sunday’s African play-off final. Team officials suspected a hamstring problem and decided not to take any chances.
His exit came barely a match after he powered Nigeria into the final with two extra-time goals against Gabon, a brace that pushed his international tally to 31.
Meanwhile, Super Falcons forward Esther Okoronkwo has lamented over her failure to make the final shortlist for the 2025 CAF Women’s Player of the Year award, despite a standout year for both club and country.
Okoronkwo, who featured in the initial 10-player shortlist, had been widely tipped to make the top three. When CAF unveiled the final nominees on Sunday, her name was missing. The final list features Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade, Morocco’s Ghizlaine Chebbak, and Sanaâ Mssoudy.
“I remain grateful for the support across Africa. CAF’s decision is noted, but my focus stays on the pitch where recognition is earned, not awarded. Awards don’t always reflect reality, but the pitch never lies,” Okoronkwo wrote on Instagram.
Okoronkwo played a central role in Nigeria’s historic 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph earlier in the year.
She finished the tournament with two goals and six assists, and earned the Player of the Match award in the final against Morocco after scoring from the spot and creating two more goals in the 3-2 win.
Her contributions stretched beyond international duty. At AFC Toronto, she was one of the driving forces behind the club’s Northern Super League Supporters’ Shield victory. She ended the regular season with eight goals and seven assists, the best assist tally in the league, and set up the decisive winner in a 2-1 win over Montreal Roses to secure the title.
Among the 45 foreign players in the NSL, she became the first African to win the inaugural shield and one of only six non-North American players to achieve that milestone.
CAF’s Women’s Player of the Year award covers performances from January 6 to October 15, 2025. Using that window, Okoronkwo’s numbers and impact stand out. She finished the year with more than 20 goal contributions in all competitions, in addition to winning two major titles.
While other nominees also delivered strong seasons, their achievements did not match her combined influence across club and country. Temwa Chawinga scored 15 goals and provided three assists for Kansas City Current, while Barbra Banda recorded eight goals and two assists for Orlando Pride. Neither player lifted silverware within the award period.
The award ceremony will commence in Rabat, Morocco from 6 p.m. Nigerian time later today, November 19, 2025.