Eto’o, Toure, other CAF Player of the Year winners on Nigerian soil

After nine years, Nigeria will once again be the centre of attraction as the biggest night in African football – CAF Awards-  return to the continent’s most populous nation in October. On Tuesday, May 12, Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, approved Nigeria’s proposed hosting of the 48th Ordinary General Assembly of the Confederation of African […]

After nine years, Nigeria will once again be the centre of attraction as the biggest night in African football – CAF Awards-  return to the continent’s most populous nation in October.

On Tuesday, May 12, Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, approved Nigeria’s proposed hosting of the 48th Ordinary General Assembly of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), as well as this year’s CAF Awards Ceremony.

The CAF Awards is an annual showpiece event that celebrates the best performers in African football in a breathtaking spectacle.

Nigeria has hosted the CAF Awards five times in its history, making the 2026 edition the sixth time the country will be hosting the showpiece.

The last time Nigeria hosted the awards was the 2016 edition held in January 2017 when Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez won the men’s award , while Super Falcons star Asisat Oshoala clinched the award in the women’s category.

The 2025 edition was held in Rabat, Morocco, with home boy and PSG star Achraf Hakimi and Ghizlane Chebbak winning the awards in the men’s and women’s  categories respectively.

Each time Nigeria hosted the CAF Awards, the non-flagship categories featured prominent triumphs for continental icons and a recurring dominance by Nigerian coaches, youth stars, and national teams on home soil.

Award winners when Nigeria hosted

Abuja 2005:

Men: Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)

Women: Perpetua Nkwocha (Nigeria) 

Lagos 2008:

Men: Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo)

Women: Noko Matlou (South Africa) 

Lagos 2013:

Men: Yaya Touré (Ivory Coast)

Women: Not Awarded

Lagos 2014:

Men: Yaya Touré (Ivory Coast)

Women: Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria)

Abuja 2016:

Men:Riyad Mahrez (Algeria)

Women: Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria) 

Meanwhile, even as Nigeria is among the countries with the highest number of awards, Perpetua Nkwocha (2005) and Asisat Oshoala (2014, 2016) are the only Nigerians to have won the prestigious award in women’s category on home soil.

Therefore, Nigerians are is still waiting for the first Super Eagles player who will be crowned Africa’s best player at home. Rashidi Yekini (1994); Emmanuel Amunike (1994); Nwankwo Kanu (1996 & 1999); Victor Ikpeba (1997); Victor Osimhen (2023); and Ademola Lookman (2024) all won their awards away from home.