Hakimi, Chebbak Shine as Africa’s Best

Achraf Hakimi and Ghizlane Chebbak etched their names into African football history on Wednesday night after being crowned the 2025 CAF Men’s and Women’s Players of the Year during a colourful gala held in Rabat, Morocco.

For Hakimi, the honour marks the first time he has lifted Africa’s biggest individual prize—an achievement that caps off a season where he stood head and shoulders above his peers. The Paris Saint-Germain right-back was a driving force in a star-studded PSG side that swept four major trophies, including the UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and Trophée des Champions.

Across all competitions, the 27-year-old logged more than 3,400 minutes, delivered crucial goals in decisive moments, and maintained a level of consistency that saw him named in the UEFA Champions League Team of the Season, the Ligue 1 Best XI, and the CAF Team of the Year. He also finished sixth in the 2025 Ballon d’Or, further underlining his status among the world’s elite.

Hakimi saw off strong competition from finalists Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen, both of whom enjoyed impressive seasons but fell short of the Moroccan star’s all-round impact.

On the women’s side, Ghizlane Chebbak delivered a landmark moment for Moroccan football as she became the first woman from the country to win the CAF Women’s Player of the Year award. Chebbak has been a dominant figure in African football for years, and her latest recognition comes after another brilliant spell that included winning the Golden Boot at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations a feat she also achieved in 2022.

Her move to Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia this year has only strengthened her profile, with the midfielder quickly becoming a key presence both at club level and with the Moroccan national team. She triumphed over fellow finalists Sanaa Mssoudy and Rasheedat Ajibade to claim the top honour.

2025 CAF Awards — Full List of Winners

• Men's Player of the Year: Achraf Hakimi (PSG & Morocco)
• Women's Player of the Year: Ghizlane Chebbak (Al-Hilal & Morocco)
• Men's Coach of the Year: Bubista (Cape Verde)
• Men's Goalkeeper of the Year: Yassine Bonou (Al-Hilal & Morocco)
• Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton & Nigeria)
• 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 (Egypt)
• Men’s Interclub Player of the Year: Fiston Mayele (Pyramids & DR Congo)
• Men’s Young Player of the Year: Othmane Maamma (Watford & Morocco)
• Women’s Young Player of the Year: Doha El Madani (AS FAR & Morocco)
• Goal of the Year: Clement Mzize (Young Africans vs TP Mazembe), voted by fans

The night firmly belonged to Morocco, whose players and teams dominated several categories, signalling a rising powerhouse in African football.