Achraf Hakimi has been named the 2025 African Player of the Year after a season highlighted by Paris Saint Germain’s league triumph, a maiden UEFA Champions League title and decisive performances for Morocco.
The 27 year old received the top honour in Rabat after finishing ahead of Egypt captain Mohamed Salah and Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen.
The award extended Morocco’s influence on the night and returned the continent’s biggest individual prize to the North African nation for the first time since Mustapha Hadji in 1998.
Hakimi produced one of the most consistent seasons of his career.
He scored in the Champions League final to set PSG on the path to a 5-0 victory against Inter Milan and helped the club secure the UEFA Super Cup, Coupe de France and French Super Cup.
His appearance in Rabat came as he recovers from ankle ligament damage suffered during a Champions League meeting with Bayern Munich.
His focus is now on returning to full fitness in time for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations that Morocco will host.
Meanwhile, Uganda also registered significant visibility at the same ceremony. Shamirah Nabadda was named the CAF Women’s Referee of the Year after handling key international fixtures across 2024 and 2025.
Her assignments included matches at the Paris Olympics, the CHAN tournament staged by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, and the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.
She also officiated the WAFCON semi-final between Nigeria and South Africa and the Stanbic Uganda Cup final.
The event further recognised President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni with the CAF President’s Outstanding Achievement Award for his contribution to the successful hosting of the 2024 CHAN tournament.
CAF described the event as the most successful edition of the competition, crediting Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania for improved stadium preparation and strong coordination.
Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak took home the Women’s Player of the Year award and several teams, coaches and young players also received honours across both categories.
