African Player of the Year: Why CAF snubbed Osimhen, others - Ex-NFA Chairman, Kojo Williams
AI Executive Briefing
Gemini Flash AI~45s readFormer NFA chairman Kojo Williams has defended the Confederation of African Football (CAF) regarding the exclusion of Nigerian players from the African Player of the Year nominations. He asserts that the snub is a logical consequence of the national teams' recent failures on the continental and global stages.
Context & Background
- ✦The Nigerian national teams, both the Super Eagles and Super Falcons, have faced significant setbacks, including missing World Cup qualifications and failing to secure top finishes in recent AFCON tournaments.
- ✦The selection process for the African Player of the Year is influenced by a combination of individual performance, team success, and the perceived competitiveness of the leagues in which players participate.
Key Figures & Named Entities
•Kojo Williams, former NFA chairman, who stated that Nigeria's recent results do not justify inclusion in the award lists.•Victor Osimhen, who scored four goals at the 2025 AFCON and won the Turkish Super Lig title, yet was omitted from the 10-man shortlist.
Outlook & Next Steps
The discussion highlights a growing concern regarding the decline of Nigerian football performance on the international stage and the criteria used by CAF for individual player recognition.
Key Takeaways
AI Summary- Former NFA chairman Kojo Williams attributes the absence of Nigerian players from CAF award nominations to poor national team performances.
- The Super Eagles' failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and their third-place finish at the AFCON were cited as key reasons for the snub.
- Williams noted that while Victor Osimhen performed well at the club level, broader factors including team success and league competitiveness influence CAF's selection process.
Key Facts:2026: The Super Eagles failed to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.2025: Victor Osimhen scored four goals during the Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
Editorial Excerpt
Former Nigeria Football Association, NFA, chairman Kojo Williams has attributed the absence of Nigerian footballers from the men’s and women’s African Player of the Year nomination lists to the country’s disappointing performances over the past year.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Story
Why does Kojo Williams believe Nigerian players were excluded from the CAF award lists?
Williams believes the exclusion is a direct result of the national teams' disappointing performances, specifically citing the failure to qualify for the World Cup and not winning the AFCON.
Was Victor Osimhen's individual performance ignored by CAF?
Williams acknowledged Osimhen's quality and his success in Europe, but suggested that factors such as team achievements, the competitiveness of the league, and potential politics influence the final selection.
