Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi was named the 2025 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Player of the Year on Wednesday, marking a career milestone for the Paris Saint-Germain defender. The 27-year-old Hakimi secured the prestigious award after a successful year with both club and country, solidifying his position as one of the continent’s top footballers. The ceremony took place in Sale, Morocco, celebrating African footballing excellence.
Hakimi’s triumph comes on the heels of a season where he contributed to multiple titles with PSG, including Ligue 1 and the French Cup. He also reached the Club World Cup final with the Parisian side, ultimately finishing as runners-up. This individual recognition adds to a growing list of accomplishments for the Moroccan international.
Achraf Hakimi Crowned Africa’s Best
The award recognizes Hakimi’s outstanding performances throughout the year, surpassing fellow nominees Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and Victor Osimhen of Nigeria. He is known for his dynamic attacking play from the right-back position and defensive solidity. His leadership role within the Moroccan national team was also a key factor in the decision, according to CAF officials.
Despite currently recovering from a severe ankle sprain, Hakimi is expected to captain Morocco in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, which the nation will host starting December 21st. Morocco will be aiming to lift the trophy for the first time since 1976, and Hakimi’s fitness will be crucial to their chances. The injury occurred during a recent club match, raising concerns about his availability for the tournament.
A Night of Moroccan Success
The CAF Awards weren’t solely about Hakimi’s achievement. Morocco enjoyed a particularly successful evening, with several other awards coming back to the host nation. Yassine Bounou received the award for best men’s goalkeeper, further highlighting the strength of Moroccan talent.
Additionally, the Moroccan under-20 team was honored as the best men’s national team, celebrating their impressive run to the World Cup final. Othmane Maamma, a 20-year-old playing for Watford, was named the best young men’s player, while Doha El Madani retained her title as the best young women’s player. This widespread recognition underscores the growing investment and success of football development programs in Morocco.
Ghizlane Chebbak of Al-Hilal was awarded the best women’s player, recognized for her goal-scoring prowess in the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations. Cape Verde’s Bubista received the men’s coach of the year award for guiding his team to qualification for the 2026 World Cup, a historic achievement for the small island nation. Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie continued her dominance, winning her third consecutive women’s goalkeeper of the year award.
The selection of Bubista as coach of the year highlights a trend towards recognizing tactical innovation and success beyond the traditionally dominant footballing nations in Africa. His work with Cape Verde demonstrates that strategic planning and player development can overcome resource limitations. The awards also spotlight the increasing prominence of women’s football on the continent, with Chebbak and Nnadozie’s wins drawing significant attention.
Looking ahead, all eyes will be on Hakimi’s recovery and his potential impact on the Africa Cup of Nations. His leadership and skill will be vital for Morocco’s hopes of winning the tournament on home soil. The CAF is expected to continue evaluating and refining its award criteria to ensure they accurately reflect the evolving landscape of African football and provide appropriate recognition for outstanding players and coaches.
Further developments regarding Hakimi’s injury and his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations are anticipated in the coming weeks. The performance of other award winners in their respective competitions will also be closely monitored as the 2026 World Cup qualification process continues.
