Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi has been named the African Footballer of the Year at the 2025 CAF Awards in Rabat on Wednesday, becoming the first defender in 52 years to earn the honour.
The PSG Fullback Fends off competition from previous winners of the award; Mohamed Salah of Egypt and Victor Osimhen of Nigeria. In the final Vote, the Moroccan full-back received the accolade after an outstanding 2025 campaign with PSG, during which he lifted the Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France and UEFA Super Cup.
Hakimi outrightly became the first Moroccan descent to take the award since Mustapha Hadji in 1998 and the first defender to do so since Zaire’s Bwanga Tshimen in 1973.
In his remarks, Hakimi dedicated the award to valiant men and women who have a dream of being a footballer in Africa, he stresses the importance of team work and good working football structure in the Moroccan FA.
“And for those that always believed in me since I was a child, that I would be a professional footballer one day. I would like to thank them all.” He stated.
Morocco also dominated several other categories, with Saudi-based striker Ghizlane Chebbak named Women’s Footballer of the Year and Al-Hilal goalie Yassine Bounou taking the Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year award.
Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie secured the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year prize for a third consecutive time, becoming the first female player to win the award three times in a row, after a great outing at the recent WAFCON where she help the Super Falcons clinch the trophy for the 10th time and also be named Goalkeeper of the tournament.
