A massive controversy has broken out in Nigeria after the release of the full voting breakdown for the 2025 CAF Awards revealed that several Nigerian delegates voted against their own top stars, despite their standout performances this year — a revelation football fans are calling “the biggest embarrassment in African award history.”
The Votes That Sparked Outrage
Victor Osimhen — who won the Turkish double with Galatasaray and finished as top scorer — was expected to challenge strongly, but Nigeria’s CAF Technical Expert Daniel Amokachi ranked him fifth, awarding him just a single point.
This decision triggered immediate backlash:
“Amokachi voted Osimhen fifth? What is this?”
— Mastermind (@dami_mastermind)
Similarly, in the women’s category, media representative Samuel Ahmadu ranked Rasheedat Ajibade fifth and Esther Okoronkwo third, despite both enjoying standout seasons and finishing among Africa’s best.
“Sabotage” Trends as Nigerians React
Across social media, Nigerians accused the delegates of bias, resentment, internal politics, and incompetence.
Bimbola Royale (@bimbolaroyale) wrote:
“Ahmadu’s voting is not only spiteful. It is condescending.”
Another user added:
“Did Nigerians really sabotage their own stars on the biggest stage?”
Some analysts suggested the voters may have misunderstood the ranking system, while others insisted deeper issues were at play — including politics within the Nigerian football system.
Sports journalist Solace Chukwu noted that misinterpretation may explain the anomalies:
“It is likelier he cast the ballot in reverse order.”
But many fans are unconvinced.
🟨 Impact Snapshot
- Nigerian officials ranked Nigerian stars unusually low
- Social media exploded with allegations of bias and sabotage
- Calls grow for reforms in NFF’s voting structure
- CAF criticised for poor voting compliance among member nations
What This Means for Nigeria’s Football Reputation
The scandal has intensified calls for CAF to make voter education mandatory and for Nigeria to overhaul its internal nomination and voting processes.
With half of CAF’s 54 delegates failing to vote at all, critics say the system lacks credibility and transparency.
“The flaws outweigh the genuineness.”
— Gboyega Olutade (@G_coachtee)
Osimhen and Ajibade — The Real Impact
Osimhen finished third behind Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah.
Ajibade finished second in the Women’s Player of the Year category.
Both results, though respectable, are now overshadowed by what Nigerians describe as institutional self-sabotage.
This is IDNN. Independent. Digital. Uncompromising.
