20th November 2025
November 20 – Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi has been crowned African Footballer of the Year, becoming the first defender to win the award since 1973.
The Moroccan full-back succeeds Ademola Lookman on the honours roll. Last season, Hakimi won the UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, the French Cup and the Super Cup with his club, playing a key role with his attack-minded style.
At the Ballon d’Or ceremony, he finished sixth, but, on Wednesday in Rabat, Morocco, at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards, the defender picked up his continent’s prime individual trophy: African Footballer of the Year, earning more votes than Eygpy’s Mo Salah and Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen.
He is the first defender since Bwanga Tshimen to be named the continent’s best player – the Democratic Republic of the Congo stalwart taking the honour 52 years ago.
Hakimi said: “It is really a proud moment for me to win this prestigious award. This trophy is not just for me, but all the strong men and women who have dreams of being a footballer in Africa. And for those that always believed in me since I was a child, that I would be a professional footballer one day.”
Moroccan stars won several awards, including Women’s Footballer of the Year for Saudi-based forward Ghizlane Chebbak and Goalkeeper of the Year for Al-Hilal’s Yassine Bounou.
Bubista from Cape Verde won the Coach of the Year after leading the island nation to a maiden World Cup ticket.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino was also in attendance at the CAF Awards.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at [moc.l1763630844labto1763630844ofdlr1763630844owedi1763630844sni@i1763630844tnuk.1763630844ardni1763630844mas1763630844](javascript:;)