Morocco’s captain Achraf Hakimi has been named the African men's player of the year on Wednesday, concluding a season in which he secured the UEFA Champions League title with Paris Saint-Germain.
The 27-year-old also achieved his fourth Ligue 1 title last season, along with winning the French Cup and UEFA Super Cup; however, PSG finished as runners-up in the Club World Cup, resulting in Hakimi receiving a silver medal in New York.
The right-back triumphed over two previous award winners, Liverpool’s Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah and Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, to earn this accolade for the first time in his career.
Hakimi expressed his pride in receiving the trophy, thanking his family, teammates, and Morocco’s coach, Walid Regragui. Currently recovering from an ankle sprain, he aims to captain Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations starting December 21, as they seek their first title since 1976.
Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak won the best women’s player award, topping Sanaa Mssoudy and Rasheedat Ajibade, despite her team’s loss to Nigeria in the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations final.
It was a successful day for Morocco, with Yassine Bounou named best men’s goalkeeper and the under-20 World Cup-winning team recognised as the best men’s national team. Othmane Maamma was honoured as the best young men’s player, and Doha El Madani defended her title as best young women’s player.
Cape Verde’s Bubista won the men’s coach of the year award for leading the country to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, while Nigerian Chiamaka Nnadozie claimed her third consecutive title as women’s goalkeeper of the year.
Achraf Hakimi is the winner of CAF Men's Player of the Year #AfricanFootball @EnMaroc @royalairmaroc pic.twitter.com/pkQPhiiBY1
— Alie Bittar (@bittar32) November 19, 2025
