In a glittering ceremony in Rabat, Morocco, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), handed out its top individual honors — and this year’s winners underscored a strong Moroccan influence.
Achraf Hakimi was crowned the 2025 CAF Men’s Player of the Year, while Ghizlane Chebbak claimed the CAF Women’s Player of the Year, leaving Nigeria’s stars Victor Osimhen and Rasheedat Ajibade just short of glory.
Hakimi Makes History
Hakimi’s triumph was a momentous one — he becomes the first defender in over five decades to win the award. The 27-year-old right-back enjoyed a sensational 2024/25 campaign with Paris Saint-Germain, helping the club to a string of trophies: the UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and the UEFA Super Cup.
On the international stage, Hakimi also played a crucial role in Morocco’s qualification for the World Cup, further strengthening his case. His award marks a return to the top for Morocco: the last Moroccan to win this accolade was Mustapha Hadji in 1998.
Broken Hearts for Osimhen and Salah
Finishing behind Hakimi were Victor Osimhen of Nigeria and Mohamed Salah of Egypt — both finalists for the men’s award.
Osimhen has had a stellar year, leading Galatasaray to a domestic double and topping the Turkish league’s scoring charts. Despite his lethal performances, his achievements weren’t enough to unseat Hakimi’s trophy-laden season.
Chebbak’s Rise, Ajibade’s Near Miss
On the women’s side, Ghizlane Chebbak of Morocco captured the top prize, beating out Rasheedat Ajibade of Nigeria.
Chebbak was in fine form during the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), finishing as the competition’s leading scorer and playing a central role for her national team. Her consistent performances at both club and international level earned her the accolade — she becomes the first Moroccan woman to win this award.
Ajibade, on the other hand, has had a remarkable season. She captained Nigeria’s Super Falcons to their 10th WAFCON title, starred as Player of the Tournament, and was named Woman of the Match several times. Nonetheless, it wasn’t quite enough to take home the CAF’s top individual honor.
Broader Implications & Reflections
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Morocco’s Golden Night: The evening belonged to the host nation. In addition to Hakimi and Chebbak’s wins, other Moroccans were celebrated — Yassine Bounou won Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year.
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Defensive Recognition: Hakimi’s win is significant not just for Morocco but for defenders more broadly — it underscores that attacking flair is not the only path to African Footballer of the Year.
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Continued Nigerian Talent: Even though Osimhen and Ajibade missed out, their nominations highlight Nigeria’s sustained presence among the continent’s elite. And Ajibade’s influence in women’s football remains undiminished.
Conclusion
The 2025 CAF Awards marked a major moment for Moroccan football, with Hakimi and Chebbak leading the charge. While Osimhen and Ajibade were strong contenders, the night belonged to Morocco — and their stellar performances made their wins hard to challenge.
If anything, this ceremony serves as a reminder of the evolving dynamics in African football: defenders can shine just as brightly as strikers, and representation is becoming more geographically diverse. For Nigeria, the challenge now is to build on this foundation and return even stronger next year.
