Ajibade, Osimhen edged out as Hakimi, Chebbak sweep CAF best player awards

Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi has been crowned 2025 CAF Men’s Player of the Year.’

The 27-year-old was announced the winner of the gong at the gala held in Rabat, Morocco, on Wednesday.

Hakimi defeated Victor Osimhen and Mohammed Salah to win the coveted individual prize for male African footballers.

He becomes the first Moroccan to win the award since Mustapha Hadji in 1998.

Osimhen won the prize in 2023, and Ademola Lookman won it in 2024.

Hakimi was an influential player on the Paris Saint-Germain side that won the Ligue 1 title, the French Cup, and the UEFA Champions League in the 2024/25 season.

Rasheedat Ajibade was also beaten to the women’s player of the year prize by Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak.

Ajibade led the Super Falcons of Nigeria to their 10th Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title. The team defeated Morocco in the final.

Ajibade was voted woman of the match in three of the Falcons’ six games at the competition. She was also named the tournament’s best player.

Meanwhile, Nnadozie claimed the Golden Glove as the best goalkeeper for the third year in a row.

The Super Falcons were also named the women’s national team of the year.