2025 CAF Voting Results Trigger Controversies

Football fans and observers in Nigeria have criticised the country’s representatives in the Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) after the voting results for the CAF Awards 2025. The ceremony, held on November 19 in Rabat, Morocco, celebrated the continent’s finest football talents, with Achraf Hakimi winning the men’s African Player of the Year award with 533 points. He finished ahead of Mohammed Salah, who had 317 points, and Victor Osimhen, Nigeria’s nominee, who received 240 points.

CAF defended the outcome on its official website, insisting that the selection process was transparent and credible. According to the organisation, each voting group contributed equally, and votes were based strictly on performances recorded between January 6 and October 15, 2025. National team coaches and captains from all 54 member associations participated, alongside CAF Technical Study Group members and media representatives from each country, making the process “comprehensive and inclusive.”

Despite these assurances, controversy erupted after Nigerian fans noticed that some of their eligible voters cast ballots. Daniel Amokachi, a Nigerian and CAF technical expert, placed Hakimi first with 5 points, while ranking Osimhen 5th with 1 point. In the women’s category, Samuel Ahmadu, journalist and Media Director of the Nigeria Women’s Football League, voted Barbra Banda of Zambia and Temwa Chawinga of Malawi as his top two choices, placing Nigerian players lower in the ranking. He also assigned just one point to Chiamaka Nnadozie for the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award, putting several other international goalkeepers ahead of her.

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Ahmadu’s voting choices drew intense criticism on social media. On X, user @Kizi_Mysterio accused him of voting against Nigerian interests and questioned how he became eligible to participate in the CAF Awards process. Sports journalist Solace Chukwu suggested that the controversy might stem from a misunderstanding, arguing that Ahmadu may have misread the voting instructions and unintentionally reversed the intended order of his picks.

Beyond the heated reactions, the situation has revived broader concerns about the credibility and clarity of CAF’s voting system. While patriotism often fuels strong emotional responses from fans who want to see Nigerian players recognised, the conversation highlights the importance of transparency and accountability. As debates continue, stakeholders and supporters alike will be watching closely to ensure that future voting reflects fairness, objectivity, and a truly merit-based assessment of Africa’s top football talent.

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Joshua Chuwang

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