Hakimi named African Player of 2025 beating Osimhen & Salah

Hakimi becomes the first Moroccan to win the Player of the Year award since Mustapha Hadji in 1998 and only the second defender in history to claim the honor. Photo- Collage (Hakimi Instagram)_11zon

Dhaka, November 20 — Achraf Hakimi has been crowned the CAF Men’s Player of the Year for 2025, becoming the first Moroccan in 27 years to win the honour and only the second defender ever to claim the award.

The Paris Saint-Germain right-back edged past Egyptian star Mohamed Salah and Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen at the awards ceremony held in Rabat on Wednesday. Hakimi now follows in the footsteps of Mustapha Hadji, who last won the award for Morocco in 1998, and Congolese defender Bwanga Tshimen, who claimed it in 1973.

Hakimi’s latest milestone caps a standout season in which he played a crucial role in PSG’s treble-winning campaign, helping them secure the UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1 and Coupe de France, along with lifting the UEFA Super Cup. In international duty, he also played his part in helping Morocco qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In his acceptance speech, Hakimi said the honour represented a “truly proud moment,” dedicating the achievement to those who supported him throughout his journey.

“It’s really an honour for me to be here today, and I’m proud to win such a prestigious trophy,” Hakimi said, thanking his family, teammates, and Morocco head coach Walid Regragui. “This trophy is not just for me — it’s for all the strong men and women in Africa who have dreams, especially those who dream of becoming footballers.”

The Morocco skipper had been shortlisted in both 2023 and 2024, while last year’s title went to Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman. Earlier in May, Hakimi also claimed the Marc-Vivien Foé Award, given to the best African player in Ligue 1.

Morocco enjoyed further success on the night. Ghizlane Chebbak was named Women’s Footballer of the Year, while Al-Hilal goalkeeper Yassine Bounou won the men’s Goalkeeper of the Year award.

Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie was voted Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year for the third consecutive year, shortly after completing her move to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Women’s Super League.

Cape Verde coach Bubista took home the Coach of the Year award after guiding the island nation to their first-ever World Cup qualification, with the tournament set to take place next year across the United States, Mexico and Canada. - UNB