Achraf Hakimi and Ghizlane Chebbak have been crowned the 2025 African Footballers of the Year at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards in Rabat, Morocco, in a ceremony that underscored Morocco’s rising dominance in the sport. The event, held on November 19-20, 2025, saw Hakimi claim the men’s prize and Chebbak secure the women’s award, marking a historic double for the host nation and celebrating their exceptional contributions to football over the past year.
Hakimi, a 27-year-old right-back for Paris Saint-Germain, earned the men’s honor after a standout season that included helping PSG secure their first-ever UEFA Champions League title with a 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the final. He also played a key role in PSG’s Ligue 1 triumph, Coupe de France win, and UEFA Super Cup success, outperforming rivals Mohamed Salah of Egypt and Victor Osimhen of Nigeria in a vote by CAF’s panel of experts, media professionals, and coaches. This victory makes Hakimi the first Moroccan to win the award since Mustapha Hadji in 1998 and the first defender to achieve the feat since 1973.
In his acceptance speech, Hakimi expressed deep honor, dedicating the trophy to all Africans with dreams of becoming footballers and acknowledging the support of his family, teammates, and physiotherapists. However, the celebration was shadowed by concerns over his fitness, as he recently sustained ankle ligament damage in a Champions League match against Bayern Munich, potentially jeopardizing his participation in the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on home soil. Despite the injury, Hakimi remains determined, vowing to contribute to Morocco’s quest for their first continental title since 1976.
On the women’s side, Ghizlane Chebbak made history as the first Moroccan to win the African Women’s Footballer of the Year award since its inception in 2001. The 35-year-old midfielder and Morocco captain was recognized for her leadership and scoring prowess, having topped the charts at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, where she netted a stunning goal in the final. Although Morocco fell 3-2 to Nigeria in that match, Chebbak’s consistent performances allowed her to edge out Nigerian captain Rasheedat Ajibade, who had been favored after being named player of the tournament.
The awards ceremony also highlighted other notable achievements across African football. Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, based at Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, was named Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year, while Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie, now with Brighton & Hove Albion, won the women’s goalkeeper award for the third consecutive year. Cape Verde’s coach Bubista received the Men’s Coach of the Year honor after guiding the small island nation to a historic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, emphasizing the power of determination in overcoming resource limitations.
Additional accolades included Othmane Maamma of Watford and Morocco winning Men’s Young Player of the Year following his role in Morocco’s Under-20 World Cup victory, and Doha El Madani claiming the women’s young player award. The event also recognized East African leaders for their contributions to hosting the 2024 African Nations Championship, with Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda set to co-host the 2027 AFCON, further cementing the continent’s collaborative spirit in football development.
Overall, the 2025 CAF Awards not only celebrated individual excellence but also highlighted Morocco’s ascendancy in African football, with multiple awards reflecting the nation’s investment in the sport. The successes of Hakimi and Chebbak, in particular, inspire hope for Morocco’s prospects in the 2025 AFCON and beyond, showcasing how talent and perseverance can elevate African football on the global stage. As the football community looks ahead, these achievements serve as a catalyst for continued growth and unity across the continent.
