Osimhen, Salah, Hakimi Vie for Top Honour as CAF Crowns Its Best

Osimhen, Salah, Hakimi Vie for Top Honour as CAF Crowns Its Best

Tonight in Rabat, Morocco, the football world will turn its gaze to the 2025 CAF Awards, where the continent’s finest performers will be honoured.

The ceremony, holding at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), promises an evening of glamour and celebration, hosted by the legendary Beninese artist Angélique Kidjo and Moroccan comedian Oualass, with musical performances from Douaa Lahyaoui, Awilo Longomba, and Fuse ODG.

The spotlight will be on a fiercely competitive shortlist for the most coveted individual prize. Reigning champion Victor Osimhen returns to the podium, but he faces formidable challengers in Egypt’s prolific forward Mohamed Salah and Morocco’s dynamic PSG defender, Achraf Hakimi.

Nigerian talent is also strongly represented in the women’s categories, with Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade in the running for the Women’s Player of the Year and the exceptional goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie shortlisted for what could be a remarkable third consecutive honour in her position.

The awards are designed to recognise and celebrate outstanding individual and collective achievements across African football, highlighting the talent, excellence, and commitment displayed between January 6 and October 15, 2025.

The categories are comprehensive, spanning the best male and female players, coaches, clubs, national teams, and emerging young talents.

Key categories and their top nominees include:

Men’s Categories:

African Player of the Year: Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/PSG), Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool), Victor Osimhen (Nigeria/Galatasaray).

Goalkeeper of the Year: Yassine Bounou (Morocco/Al Hilal), Munir Mohamedi (Morocco/RS Berkane), Ronwen Williams (South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns).

Men’s Coach of the Year: Bubista (Cape Verde), Mohamed Ouahbi (Morocco U-20), Walid Regragui (Morocco).

Men’s Club of the Year: Mamelodi Sundowns, Pyramids, RS Berkane.

Men’s National Team of the Year: Cape Verde, Morocco, Morocco U-20.

Women’s Categories:

African Women’s Player of the Year: Rasheedat Ajibade (Nigeria/PSG), Ghizlaine Chebbak (Morocco/Al Hilal), Sanaa Mssoudy (Morocco/AS FAR).

African Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Andile Dlamini (South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns), Khadija Er-Rmichi (Morocco/AS FAR), Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria/Brighton).

Women’s National Team of the Year: Ghana, Morocco, Nigeria.

Due to the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions League in Egypt, the winners for Women’s Coach of the Year, Women’s Interclub Player of the Year, and Women’s Club of the Year will be announced at a later date.

The ceremony begins at 19:00 local time (18:00 GMT), ready to crown a new generation of African footballing heroes.