In Rabat, under the bright lights and the unmistakable pulse of Moroccan pride, Achraf Hakimi finally claimed the prize that had slipped from his grasp for two straight years — the 2025 CAF Men’s Player of the Year Award.
The Paris Saint-Germain right-back beat two giants of African football: Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen. On a night loaded with narratives, history, and emotion, Hakimi stood alone as the only finalist physically present — and the atmosphere inside the Mohamed VI complex told the rest of the story. Morocco had been waiting for this moment.
This victory is special on many levels. It ends Morocco’s 27-year wait since Mustapha Hadji last won the crown in 1998. And Hakimi becomes only the fourth defender to win Africa’s top individual honour in the modern era — a testament to just how influential his season was.
A Season of Dominance for Club and Country
Hakimi didn’t just win; he convinced.
His performances for PSG were central to the club’s treble-winning campaign — the French league title, the Coupe de France, the French Super Cup — and the biggest jewel of all: PSG’s maiden UEFA Champions League trophy, where Hakimi opened the scoring in the 5–0 demolition of Inter Milan.
He also lifted the UEFA Super Cup and spearheaded Morocco’s Afcon 2025 promotion campaign, becoming one of the most recognizable faces ahead of a home-soil tournament the North Africans desperately want to win for the first time since 1976.
And even with damaged ankle ligaments suffered earlier this month, Hakimi made the crowd roar when he hopped up the steps on one foot to receive his award from CAF President Patrice Motsepe and FIFA President Gianni Infantino — a moment that will live long in CAF Awards history.
“It’s really an honour to win this prestigious trophy,” Hakimi said. “This isn’t just for me — it’s for every African with a dream. And we will do our best to win the Afcon trophy.”
Chebbak Completes Moroccan Double
It wasn’t just Hakimi’s night.
Morocco’s women’s captain Ghizlane Chebbak shocked many observers by winning the Women’s Player of the Year Award, beating Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade and teammate Sanaa Mssoudy.
Chebbak was outstanding in the delayed 2024 WAFCON, finishing as top scorer and netting one of the goals of the tournament. At 35, she becomes the first Moroccan woman to ever win the award.
“This is the fruit of a lot of hard work,” she said. “I’m extremely delighted.”
Nigeria didn’t leave empty-handed — Super Falcons star Chiamaka Nnadozie won Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year for the third consecutive year.
Cape Verde’s Bubista and Morocco’s Youth Also Take Centre Stage
Cape Verde coach Bubista claimed the Men’s Coach of the Year Award after leading his nation to an historic 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification.
Morocco’s U-20 side was crowned Men’s National Team of the Year, while their prodigy Othmane Maamma won Men’s Young Player of the Year, adding to the nation’s impressive sweep.
The continent’s political leaders also shared the spotlight, as the presidents of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda received special recognition for jointly hosting the 2024 African Nations Championship.
Full List of 2025 CAF Awards Winners
- Men’s Player of the Year: Achraf Hakimi (PSG/Morocco)
- Women’s Player of the Year: Ghizlane Chebbak (Al-Hilal/Morocco)
- Men’s Coach of the Year: Bubista (Cape Verde)
- Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Yassine Bonou (Al-Hilal/Morocco)
- Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton/Nigeria)
- Men’s National Team: Morocco U-20
- Women’s National Team: Nigeria
- Men’s Club of the Year: Pyramids FC (Egypt)
- Interclub Player of the Year: Fiston Mayele (DR Congo/Pyramids)
- Men’s Young Player of the Year: Othmane Maamma (Morocco/Watford)
- Women’s Young Player of the Year: Doha El Madani (AS FAR/Morocco)
- Goal of the Year: Clement Mzize (Young Africans vs TP Mazembe)
