Ghana’s senior women’s national team, the Black Queens, have made waves internationally following multiple nominations ahead of the 2025 CAF Awards 2025, and standout goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan finds herself among the global elite after being shortlisted for the goalkeeping category of the prestigious The Best FIFA Football Awards Women’s 11.
Konlan’s nomination highlights her instrumental role in the Black Queens’ resurgence on the African football stage. At the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) held in Morocco, she delivered several standout performances, including key penalty saves that helped Ghana clinch the bronze medal. With this nomination, she becomes one of the few Ghanaian women footballers to gain recognition on the global stage.
While her nomination is for the CAF Awards – representing continental excellence – the wording in some Ghanaian media outlets extends it to nomination for the global FIFA Women’s 11. Whether this correspondingly elevates her to consideration for the worldwide FIFA Women’s 11 remains to be clarified. Still, her inclusion in international shortlists is a significant milestone.
Konlan, just 22 years old, has made her mark with the Black Queens and her club sides. Her rise has been meteoric: progressing through youth national teams and earning the top goalkeeping spot at senior level in a short span. Her agility, composure under pressure and resilience in key matches have earned her praise from coaches, teammates and analysts alike.
The goalkeeping shortlist for the 2025 CAF Awards includes talents such as Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria), Andile Dlamini (South Africa), and Khadija Er‑Rmichi (Morocco), placing Konlan among Africa’s best at her position.
For Ghana, this achievement is more than personal, it signals progress for women’s football nationally. The nomination underscores the strides the Black Queens are making after securing a bronze medal in WAFCON, reaffirming Ghana’s status as a competitive force in African women’s football.
Looking forward, Konlan’s success could inspire young female footballers across Ghana and prompt increased investment in women’s sport. It provides a tangible benchmark: that Ghanaian players can be considered among the best in the world.
Her journey to this nomination also underscores the importance of performance consistency, high-level club experience and visibility at major tournaments. The recognition could also raise expectations among Ghanaian sports administrators and clubs to sustain and elevate support for women’s football infrastructure, coaching, talent development and international exposure.
As the nominations convert into final shortlists and winners are announced, all eyes will be on that final step. Konlan, however, has already achieved a significant milestone for herself and Ghana.
Black Queens Shine at 2025 CAF Awards After Inspiring WAFCON Bronze Finish