Williams blames Nigeria’s poor form for Osimhen’s CAF snub

Former Nigeria Football Association chairman, Kojo Williams, has said Nigeria cannot fault the Confederation of African Football for leaving Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen out of the 2026 African Player of the Year shortlist, blaming the country’s poor performances on the international stage for the omission.

Williams said Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and its inability to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations had weakened the country’s case for representation at the continental awards.

Speaking on ThePlayzone Podcast, the former football administrator said he was not surprised by the absence of Nigerian players from the men’s and women’s Player of the Year nomination lists.

“It won’t be fair to me to say that I am surprised, but it all has to do with our performances, what we’ve done in the last year,” Williams said.

He added, “So if we’re not doing the right thing, of course, they won’t pick us. Did we qualify for the World Cup? We didn’t win the AFCON. You cannot fault that.”

Osimhen’s omission from the men’s shortlist has generated reactions among Nigerian football supporters, particularly given his performances for Galatasaray and the Super Eagles.

The striker scored four goals at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and played an important role in helping Galatasaray retain their Turkish Super Lig title.

Despite acknowledging the Nigerian forward’s impressive performances, Williams suggested that other considerations, including club profile and the league in which a player competes, could influence the selection process.

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 “You know, sometimes they play politics. Yes, Victor did well in Europe, but you had the other guys from other teams like PSG, and maybe the league he’s playing in,” he said.

Williams, however, was quick to acknowledge Osimhen’s quality, recalling his previous success at the continental awards.

“Yes, he won African Footballer of the Year when he was playing for Napoli. He’s a great player,” he added.

CAF’s 10-man shortlist for the men’s award features some of Africa’s leading footballers, including Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Senegal’s Sadio Mane and Ismaila Sarr, Ivory Coast’s Amad Diallo and DR Congo’s Yoane Wissa.

Nigeria’s absence is particularly significant given its history at the awards, with former Super Eagles stars Rashidi Yekini, Emmanuel Amuneke, Nwankwo Kanu, Victor Ikpeba, Osimhen and Ademola Lookman having won the men’s prize.

In the women’s category, Nigerians Asisat Oshoala, Perpetua Nkwocha, Cynthia Uwak and Mercy Akide have also enjoyed continental recognition.

The latest omission has renewed concerns about the country’s declining influence in African football, with Williams’ comments highlighting the need for improved performances by the national teams.

For Nigeria, restoring its place among Africa’s football elite will require not only individual brilliance from its leading players but also stronger results in major international competitions.