Former Nigeria Football Association chairman Kojo Williams has attributed the absence of Nigerian players from the men's and women's African Player of the Year nomination lists to the country's disappointing performances over the past year. Williams insisted that the Confederation of African Football cannot be blamed for the omission. Nigeria's national teams have endured a difficult period, with the Super Eagles failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite finishing third at the last Africa Cup of Nations.
The Super Falcons have also struggled to maintain their dominance, missing out on qualification for the FIFA Women's World Cup and failing to finish among the top three teams at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations. CAF recently unveiled a 10-man shortlist for the Men's African Player of the Year award, featuring some of the continent's outstanding performers. However, the absence of Nigerian players, particularly Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, generated discussions among football followers.
Speaking on ThePlayzone podcast, Williams said Nigeria's omission did not come as a surprise to him, arguing that the country's performances over the assessment period did not warrant representation among the nominees. He stated that the country's failure to qualify for the World Cup and win the AFCON were key factors in the snub. Williams emphasized that if Nigeria is not performing well, it is unfair to expect CAF to include its players in the nominations.
Osimhen's absence from the men's shortlist was particularly notable, considering his contributions to Nigeria at the 2025 AFCON, where he scored four goals, and his role in helping Galatasaray retain their Turkish Super Lig title. Despite acknowledging the striker's impressive performances, Williams suggested that factors beyond individual quality and achievements could sometimes influence the selection process for the prestigious continental award.
Williams maintained that Osimhen remained an outstanding footballer, pointing to his previous success in winning the African Player of the Year award while playing for Napoli. He acknowledged that Osimhen did well in Europe, but also noted that other players from top leagues like PSG were also considered. Williams emphasized that politics can sometimes play a role in the selection process.
Nigeria boasts an impressive history at the CAF Awards, having produced several winners of the men's African Player of the Year prize, including Rashidi Yekini, Emmanuel Amuneke, Nwankwo Kanu, Victor Ikpeba, Victor Osimhen, and Ademola Lookman. In the women's category, Asisat Oshoala, Perpetua Nkwocha, Cynthia Uwak, and Mercy Akide have also brought continental recognition to Nigeria.
The latest omission represents a disappointing development for Nigerian football, with Williams insisting that improved performances by the country's national teams and players remain essential to restoring Nigeria's presence among Africa's football elite. He emphasized that Nigeria must focus on achieving better results to regain its position in the African football landscape.
Key points
- Nigeria's poor performance over the past year led to the absence of its players from the 2026 CAF Awards' Player of the Year nomination lists.
- Former NFA chairman Kojo Williams attributed the snub to Nigeria's disappointing performances, citing the country's failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and win the AFCON.
- Williams emphasized that improved performances by Nigeria's national teams and players are crucial to restoring the country's presence among Africa's football elite.
