The Super Falcons legend has been vindicated.
What once sounded like frustration from Asisat Oshoala now reads like prophecy, as Thursday night’s controversial CAF Awards reignited fierce allegations of political favouritism over sporting merit.
When CAF announced Lamia Boumehdi of Morocco as the 2025 Women’s Coach of the Year, Nigerian football fans erupted — not because Boumehdi lacks quality, but because the decision appeared to defy logic, performance metrics, and precedent.
The backlash was instant. And it was volcanic.
The outrage centres on one glaring omission: Justine Madugu.
The Super Falcons head coach guided Nigeria to a historic 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in 2025. His résumé speaks loudly:
Unbeaten WAFCON campaign
A dramatic comeback victory over Morocco in the final
The only African coach nominated for the 2025 Ballon d’Or coaching award
Yet, despite these achievements, Madugu was overlooked.
Instead, the award went to Boumehdi — whose TP Mazembe Women finished third at the CAF Women’s Champions League.
Third place.
Not champions.
Third.
One viral reaction summed it up perfectly:
“You didn’t give it to Madugu, the coach who won WAFCON, but gave it to a coach who finished third in the Champions League. Asisat Oshoala was absolutely right.”
The optics could not have been worse.
Just 24 hours earlier, Nigeria’s Super Eagles were eliminated by Morocco in a controversial AFCON 2025 semi-final, marred by questionable officiating decisions that many believe favoured the hosts.
Then came the awards.
Another Moroccan win.
Another Nigerian snub.
“CAF aren’t even beating these Morocco allegations,” read one viral post that captured the continental mood.
Before the ceremony, Asisat Oshoala had already raised alarms.
After Moroccan players swept both the men’s and women’s Player of the Year awards in 2024 — with Ghislaine Chebbak controversially beating Nigeria’s Esther Okoronkwo and Rasheedat Ajibade — Oshoala took to X with a pointed warning:
“The big question here is when will this whole CAF compensation to Morocco end? Awards, tournaments and all… It’s getting boring now.”
Her concern now appears disturbingly accurate.
Since 2023, Morocco has hosted:
U-23 AFCON
U-17 AFCON
Two CAF Awards ceremonies
AFCON 2025
African football’s centre of gravity has shifted — and many believe the benefits are no longer just infrastructural.
This isn’t a Nigerian-only grievance.
Fans from across Africa voiced disbelief:
“The Nigerian coach deserved it. That remontada against Morocco alone should have sealed it.”
Another was more blunt:
“Even Moroccans know she doesn’t deserve the award. Rename it MCON — Morocco Cup Of Nations.”
Perhaps the most damning observation referenced global recognition:
“Nigeria’s coach was nominated for the Ballon d’Or, but CAF says he isn’t Africa’s best? CAF aren’t beating these allegations.”
CAF has offered no explanation.
And at this point, silence feels less like neutrality and more like confirmation. When a governing body’s decisions repeatedly tilt toward one nation — particularly the same nation hosting and funding its major tournaments — trust inevitably erodes.
Justine Madugu deserved better.
Nigerian football deserved better.
African football deserved better.
Awards are meant to reward excellence, not convenience or politics. If CAF continues down this path, its credibility risks lasting damage.
Asisat Oshoala was right.
And until merit truly matters again, the questions won’t stop.
Want To Advertise With Us?
📩 Contact: sales@ventolitemarketing.com
The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has taken a troubling turn, and this…
Real Madrid are once again thinking big — very big. According to fresh reports from…
Real Madrid’s season continues to unravel, and just when fans hoped the storm might ease,…
Football is passion, emotion, and sometimes… pure fire 🔥. That was exactly what fans witnessed…
When it comes to African strikers, few voices carry as much authority as Asamoah Gyan.…
The Super Eagles and their supporters will have to wait until AFCON 2027 for the…