Moroccan footballer Achraf Hakimi has been named African Footballer of the Year, becoming the first defender in more than five decades to win the continent’s top individual honour.
The Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco right back received the award on Wednesday during the 2025 CAF Awards ceremony held in Rabat.
Hakimi topped the vote ahead of Liverpool’s Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah and Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen after a remarkable year with PSG.
Hakimi helped the French champions secure four major trophies: the UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1 title, Coupe de France, and UEFA Super Cup.
The last defender to win the award was Bwanga Tshimen of Zaire (now DR Congo) in 1973. Hakimi also becomes the first Moroccan recipient since Mustapha Hadji in 1998.
“It is really a proud moment for me to win this prestigious award,” Hakimi said. “This trophy is not just for me, but 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, that I would be a professional footballer one day. I would like to thank them all.”
Morocco enjoyed further success at the ceremony. Ghizlane Chebbak, who plays in Saudi Arabia, was named Women’s Footballer of the Year, while Yassine Bounou of Al-Hilal received Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year.
Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie claimed Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year for the third consecutive time following her move to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Women’s Super League.
Cape Verde’s national team coach Bubista was awarded Coach of the Year, after guiding the island nation to its first-ever World Cup qualification ahead of the 2026 tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
