Achraf Hakimi African Footballer of the Year win leads Morocco’s sweeping success at the 2025 CAF Awards as Chebbak, Maamma and Bubista secure major honours.
The 2025 CAF Awards in Rabat delivered a night of unforgettable celebration for the host nation as Achraf Hakimi African Footballer of the Year emerged as the headline story. Morocco not only claimed the continent’s biggest individual honour but swept across several categories, confirming their rise as a dominant force in African football. The ceremony, rich in pride and emotion, marked a turning point for both Moroccan men’s and women’s football.
Achraf Hakimi’s coronation as the continent’s best player was the defining moment of the night. After two consecutive years of narrowly missing the top prize, the 27-year-old finally broke through, overtaking Egyptian powerhouse Mohamed Salah and Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen. His award comes after a spectacular season in which he guided Paris Saint-Germain to the French league title and played a key role in delivering PSG’s first-ever UEFA Champions League trophy. The achievement, long awaited, makes the Achraf Hakimi African Footballer of the Year title a symbolic victory for Morocco.
Beyond his club performances, Hakimi was instrumental for the Moroccan national team, consistently delivering match-winning contributions. His Champions League final opener against Inter Milan, part of PSG’s emphatic 5–0 victory, cemented his reputation as one of the world’s best full-backs. The French champions also lifted the UEFA Super Cup, Coupe de France and French Super Cup, with their only blemish being a loss to Chelsea in the FIFA Club World Cup final.
Receiving the award, Hakimi appeared emotional yet determined, especially as he continues recovering from ligament damage sustained earlier this month against Bayern Munich. Limping onto the stage, he balanced carefully on one foot to avoid pressure on his injured ankle. “This trophy belongs to all Africans who dare to dream,” he said. “And we will give everything to win AFCON on home soil.”
Morocco, preparing to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, will anxiously monitor his recovery. The country’s last AFCON triumph came in 1976, and expectations are higher than ever. As the Achraf Hakimi African Footballer of the Year winner, Hakimi stands as the symbolic leader of that dream.
Chebbak completes a landmark Moroccan double
While Hakimi’s win was widely predicted, Ghizlane Chebbak’s victory stunned many observers. The Moroccan captain claimed the Women’s Player of the Year award, surpassing Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade — the tournament MVP at the delayed 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations — and fellow Moroccan Sanaa Mssoudy. Chebbak, 35, delivered a standout WAFCON campaign, finishing as top scorer and netting a breathtaking goal in the final.
Her victory is historic: she becomes the first Moroccan woman to win the prestigious award since its creation in 2001. “I am extremely honoured,” she said. “This represents years of sacrifice, discipline and belief.” Although Morocco lost the final 3–2 to Nigeria, Chebbak’s leadership, technique and endurance won the admiration of fans and coaches across the continent.
Nigeria still celebrated on the night, as Chiamaka Nnadozie earned Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year for the third consecutive season. The Brighton shot-stopper has established herself as one of the most reliable and commanding keepers in global women’s football.
Bubista and Cape Verde celebrate coaching excellence
The night also featured a powerful emotional moment when Cape Verde’s Bubista was announced as Men’s Coach of the Year. The 55-year-old tactician guided Cape Verde to their first-ever FIFA World Cup qualification, a feat that resonated beyond football circles. Fighting tears, he said: “We are a small nation, but we have a heart big enough to dream.”
This award highlights the growing competitiveness across African football and the role of tactical innovation in elevating smaller nations onto the world stage.
Young talent and national teams shine
Morocco’s dominance continued as Othmane Maamma was named Men’s Young Player of the Year. The Watford midfielder played a starring role in Morocco’s successful U-20 World Cup campaign, winning the Golden Ball and establishing himself as one of Africa’s brightest rising stars. “We built a team capable of becoming world champions,” he said, voice shaking with emotion.
The Morocco U-20 team was also named Men’s National Team of the Year, further reinforcing the country’s effective investment in youth development. On the women’s side, Nigeria took home the Women’s National Team of the Year award after securing a record-extending 10th WAFCON title.
Celebration beyond football
This year’s ceremony also honoured political leaders who helped support African football infrastructure. Kenya’s William Ruto, Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan and Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni received outstanding achievement awards for successfully co-hosting the 2024 African Nations Championship and preparing to jointly stage AFCON 2027..
Complete List of 2025 CAF Awards Winners
•Men’s Player of the Year: Achraf Hakimi
•Women’s Player of the Year: Ghizlaine Chebbak
•Men’s Coach of the Year: Bubista
•Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Yassine Bonou
•Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Chiamaka Nnadozie
•Men’s National Team of the Year: Morocco U-20
•Women’s National Team of the Year: Nigeria
•Men’s Club of the Year: Pyramids
•Interclub Player of the Year: Fiston Mayele
•Men’s Young Player of the Year: Othmane Maamma
•Women’s Young Player of the Year: Doha El Madani
•Goal of the Year: Clement Mzize
The remaining women’s categories — including Women’s Coach of the Year and Women’s Interclub Player — will be announced after the 2025 Women’s African Champions League concludes.
Morocco’s sweeping success, led by the triumph of Achraf Hakimi African Footballer of the Year, signals a new era for the nation’s football — one built on talent, resilience, ambition and continental pride.
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