Morocco stole the spotlight at the CAF Awards 2025 in Rabat, with star defender Achraf Hakimi rewriting history by being crowned African Player of the Year — the first defender to receive the award in over five decades.
His milestone victory capped a powerful showing for Moroccan football on the continental stage.
The 27-year-old finally clinched the prestigious honour after coming agonizingly close in 2023 and 2024, when Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman narrowly beat him to the prize.
This win not only confirms Hakimi’s status as one of Africa’s elite footballers but also ends Morocco’s long wait for the crown, last won by Mustapha Hadji in 1998. His achievement places him among the rare defenders to secure the award in modern football history.
READ ALSO:
- ‘Don’t Put Your Mouth In Politics’ — Toyin Abraham Tells Actors
- Former Super Eagles Midfielder Henry Nwosu Dies at 62
- Drone Strike Hits US Embassy In Iraq As Middle East War Enters Third Week
- ‘Darling Jesus’ Composer Evangelist Toun Soetan Dies At 73
- Ebenezer Obey to Celebrate 84th Birthday With Two-Day Gospel Crusade
Nigeria also celebrated big on the night, with the Super Falcons named Women’s Team of the Year. Brighton shot-stopper Chiamaka Nnadozie continued her dominance by securing the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award for the third year in a row.
Below is the complete list of winners at the CAF Awards 2025:
• Player of the Year (Men): Achraf Hakimi
• Player of the Year (Women): Ghizlane Chebbak
• Goalkeeper of the Year (Men): Yassine Bounou
• Goalkeeper of the Year (Women): Chiamaka Nnadozie
• Youth Player of the Year (Men): Othmane Maamma
• Youth Player of the Year (Women): Doha El Madani
• Interclub Player of the Year: Ibrahim Mayele
• Women’s Interclub Player of the Year: Shamirah Nabbadda
• Coach of the Year (Men): Bubista
• Club of the Year (Men): Pyramids FC
• Team of the Year (Men): Morocco U-20 National Team
• Team of the Year (Women): Nigeria Women’s National Football Team
• Goal of the Year: Clement Mizize
• Referee of the Year (Men): Omar Abdulkadir Artan
• Referee of the Year (Women): Liban Abdulrazack
• Women’s Referee of the Year: Shamirah Nabbadda
• CAF Women’s Assistant Referee of the Year: Tabara Moodji
• CAF Assistant Referee of the Year (Men): Liban Abdulrazack