Nigeria’s senior women’s team, the Super Falcons, claimed the country’s first honor at this year’s Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco.
The nine-time African champions beat competition from reigning Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) winner South Africa and 2022 WAFCON finalist Morocco to the award on Monday night.
The 2023 National Team of the Year (WOMEN) is… ????
???????? Nigeria ???????? #CAFAwards2023 pic.twitter.com/pwdwfiXXZI
— CAF (@CAF_Online) December 11, 2023
The Falcons finished fourth in the last edition of the WAFCON in Morocco after losing to Zambia in the third-place playoff match.
Nigeria made it to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand as one of the four African contingents. They finished unbeaten in the group with one win and two draws, including beating co-host the Matildas 3-2 and keeping two clean sheets.
They were eventually knocked out on penalties in the round of 16 by England after a goalless draw in regulation time.
The Falcons beat Cape Verde 7-1 on aggregate to qualify for next year’s WAFCON, set to be held in Morocco. Nigerian stars are still in the running for two awards—the men’s and women’s player of the year—after Deborah Abiodun lost out on claiming the women’s Young Player of the Year award.
