Achraf Hakimi Wins Best African Footballer Award 2025 -

**Hakimi Africa Footballer of The Year**

Hakimi Achraf has won the African Footballer of the year 2025 Award from the Confederation of African Football, CAF.

Moroccan international and national team captain Hakimi is the first defender in 52 years to win the continent’s most prestigious individual honour.

Hakimi, who plays as a right-back for Paris Saint-Germain, PSG, finished ahead of Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen in the final voting.

His triumph marks a historic moment for Moroccan football, making him the first player from the North African nation to win the award since Mustapha Hadji in 1998, and the first defender to be recognised since Zaire centre-back Bwanga Tshimen in 1973.

2025 Best Football Career For Hakimi

The 2025 season was one of the best of Hakimi’s career, with the 26-year-old enjoying a trophy-filled year at PSG. He played a key role in the club’s successes across four competitions — the UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France and the UEFA Super Cup — achievements that strengthened his case as Africa’s standout footballer.

“It is really a proud moment for me to win this prestigious award,” Hakimi said during his acceptance speech. “This trophy is not just for me, but for all the strong men and women who have dreams of being a footballer in Africa. And for those that always believed in me since I was a child… I would like to thank them all.”

Morocco’s Night of Achievements

Morocco asserted its growing influence in African football by sweeping several major categories.

Saudi-based forward Ghizlane Chebbak was named Women’s Footballer of the Year, adding to her growing list of accolades as one of the continent’s most consistent players.

In the men’s category, Yassine Bounou, the Al-Hilal and Atlas Lions goalkeeper, was crowned Goalkeeper of the Year, further underlining Morocco’s remarkable depth across both men’s and women’s football.

Nigeria’s Nnadozie Day of Glory

Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie claimed the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award for the third consecutive time, continuing her dominance since the category’s introduction in 2023. The 24-year-old, who recently sealed a transfer to Brighton & Hove Albion in the English Women’s Super League, remains one of Africa’s most formidable goalkeepers.

Cape Verde In Historic Recognition

Cape Verde historic moment came when The Coach of the Year award went to Bubista, who guided the island nation to their first-ever qualification for the FIFA World Cup, 2026 in the United States, Mexico and Canada. His win marks a significant moment for Cape Verdean football, symbolising the continent’s growing diversity at the highest level of competition.

The 2025 CAF Awards showcased not only individual brilliance but also the rising competitive strength across African football, with Morocco emerging as the night’s biggest winner.