Hakimi and Chebbak Scoop Top Honours at 2025 CAF Awards

Morocco celebrated a memorable double triumph at the 2025 CAF Awards in Rabat, as Achraf Hakimi and Ghizlane Chebbak claimed Africa’s top football awards on home soil.

Hakimi named Africa’s best

Achraf Hakimi was crowned African Footballer of the Year, edging out Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen. The 27-year-old enjoyed a standout season with Paris St-Germain, winning the French league, lifting the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history, and scoring the opener in their emphatic 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the final.

Hakimi becomes Morocco’s first men’s winner since 1998, ending a 27-year wait. Despite his celebrations, the defender is racing to recover from ankle ligament damage ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which Morocco will host.

“This is a huge honour,” Hakimi said. “It belongs to all Africans who dream big.”

Chebbak delivers historic moment

Captain Ghizlane Chebbak provided Morocco with another milestone by winning the Women’s Player of the Year award — the first Moroccan ever to do so since the category was introduced in 2001.

The 35-year-old midfielder finished as the leading scorer at the delayed 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, scoring a spectacular goal in the final. Although Morocco were beaten 3-2 by Nigeria, Chebbak surpassed favourite Rasheedat Ajibade and fellow Moroccan Sanaa Mssoudy to secure the prize.

“This is the reward for many years of effort,” Chebbak said.

Nigeria still celebrated success as Brighton’s Chiamaka Nnadozie claimed her third straight Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award.

Cape Verde and Morocco also shine

Cape Verde coach Bubista earned the Men’s Coach of the Year award after guiding the nation to its first-ever World Cup qualification for 2026.

Morocco’s talented generation was further recognised when Watford’s Othmane Maamma was named Men’s Young Player of the Year, following his standout role in Morocco’s Under-20 World Cup triumph.

Presidents William Ruto (Kenya), Samia Suluhu Hassan (Tanzania), and Yoweri Museveni (Uganda) received Outstanding Achievement Awards for their countries’ joint hosting of the 2024 African Nations Championship. The trio are set to co-host the 2027 Afcon.

2025 CAF Awards – Key Winners

• Men’s Player: Achraf Hakimi

• Women’s Player: Ghizlane Chebbak

• Men’s Coach: Bubista

• Men’s Keeper: Yassine Bonou

• Women’s Keeper: Chiamaka Nnadozie

• Men’s National Team: Morocco U20

• Women’s National Team: Nigeria

• Men’s Club: Pyramids

• Interclub Player: Fiston Mayele

• Men’s Young Player: Othmane Maamma

• Women’s Young Player: Doha El Madani

• Goal of the Year: Clement Mzize

Awards for women’s coach, interclub winner, and club of the year will be confirmed after the 2025 Women’s African Champions League concludes.