Achraf Hakimi Crowned African Player of the Year as Morocco Dominates CAF Awards 2025
In a night defined by dominance, history and emotional moments, Morocco emerged as the biggest winner at the CAF Awards 2025, held in Rabat on Wednesday, 19 November 2025. Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi claimed the CAF Men’s Player of the Year award, capping off one of the most decorated years of his professional career. The ceremony, attended by some of Africa’s most influential players, coaches, administrators and football legends, celebrated excellence across all levels of the game at a time when African football continues to expand its influence globally.
Hakimi arrived at the ceremony on a knee walker due to an injury, but the setback did little to overshadow the magnitude of his achievement. His 2025 season featured a remarkable collection of trophies — the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, French Ligue 1 title, Coupe de France, and a runners-up finish at the FIFA Club World Cup. He also played a pivotal role in Morocco’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With this award, Hakimi becomes the first defender to win Africa’s top individual prize since Bwanga Tshimen in 1973 and the first Moroccan to do so since Mustapha Hadji in 1998.
Morocco’s triumph did not end there. Ghizlane Chebbak won the CAF Women’s Player of the Year award, becoming the first Moroccan woman to achieve the honour. After leading Morocco to a runners-up finish at the 2024 WAFCON and finishing as the tournament’s top scorer, Chebbak continued her rise by joining Saudi club Al-Hilal for the 2025/26 season. Her consistency for both club and country put her ahead of several top contenders.
Goalkeeping excellence also belonged to Morocco, as Yassine Bounou was named CAF Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year following his standout performances for Al-Hilal and his inclusion in the Best XI at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. In the women’s category, Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie earned her third consecutive CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award, reinforcing her status as one of Africa’s most dominant shot-stoppers.
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Cape Verde made history when Bubista won CAF Men’s Coach of the Year for guiding the nation to its first-ever FIFA World Cup qualification. His achievement was widely recognized as one of the year’s most remarkable coaching performances.
Rising talent was also celebrated, with Morocco’s Othmane Maamma winning CAF Men’s Young Player of the Year after a standout role in Morocco’s FIFA U-20 World Cup victory. Doha El Madani retained the women’s young player award for her contributions to AS FAR’s domestic success and Morocco’s women’s futsal triumph.
Morocco’s youth success continued as the nation’s U-20 team was named CAF Men’s National Team of the Year. Nigeria’s Super Falcons, fresh off their 2024 WAFCON victory, won Women’s National Team of the Year for a second consecutive time.
In interclub categories, DR Congo striker Fiston Mayele was named CAF Men’s Interclub Player of the Year after leading Pyramids FC to its first-ever CAF Champions League title as top scorer. Pyramids also secured the CAF Men’s Club of the Year award.
The Goal of the Year award went to Tanzania’s Clement Mzize for a memorable long-range strike in the CAF Champions League, the only award decided by fan voting.
Across social media and football forums, Hakimi’s victory drew widespread praise, with many fans commending his resilience and consistent top-level performances. The night ultimately became a testament to Morocco’s growing stature in African football, reflecting years of investment in talent development, coaching and infrastructure.
The 2025 CAF Awards will be remembered as one of the most defining ceremonies of the decade — and one that firmly established Morocco at the center of African football’s ongoing rise.