Moroccan Achraf Hakimi, Nigerian Victor Osimhen, and Egyptian Mohamed Salah have been shortlisted for the 2025 African Men’s Player of the Year award, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed on Sunday. The announcement highlights the continent’s top footballing talent ahead of the annual awards ceremony in Rabat, Morocco.
Who Leads the Men’s Contenders?
Currently sidelined with an injury, full-back Hakimi played a key role in helping Paris Saint-Germain clinch the UEFA Champions League for the first time. He also finished as runner-up to Chelsea in the expanded Club World Cup final. If fully fit, the 27-year-old is set to lead host nation Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations starting December 21, aiming for the country’s first AFCON title since 1976.
Salah, a two-time African award winner, has faced challenges recently despite his stellar role in Liverpool securing a record-equalling 20th Premier League title last season. The 33-year-old also claimed the 2024-25 Premier League Golden Boot with 29 goals, six ahead of Alexander Isak, who has since transferred from Newcastle United to Liverpool.
Osimhen, representing Turkish side Galatasaray, has impressed consistently for both club and country. However, his recent achievements, including a Champions League hat-trick against Ajax and two goals in Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup play-off win over Gabon, fall outside the judging period, which closed on October 15.
Which Women Are in Contention?
The African Women’s Player of the Year nominees include Nigerian Rasheedat Ajibade, Moroccan Ghizlane Chebbak, and Sanaa Mssoudy. Ajibade was named best player at this year’s Africa Women’s Cup of Nations after helping Nigeria recover from a two-goal deficit to beat Morocco 3-2 in the final. Chebbak, daughter of former Moroccan star Larbi Chebbak, was the tournament’s top scorer with five goals. Mssoudy has been instrumental in elevating Rabat club FAR, winners of the 2022 CAF Women’s Champions League and semi-finalists in 2025.
CAF technical committee members, coaches, former players, and selected media representatives chose the nominees. The awards ceremony will take place in Morocco’s capital, Rabat, on Wednesday, celebrating African football excellence for both men and women.
By Yockshard Enyendi