Morocco delivered a record-breaking performance at the 2025 CAF Awards on Wednesday night, sweeping both the Men’s and Women’s African Player of the Year titles in the same edition.
The glittering ceremony, held at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Rabat, celebrated a night of dominance for the Atlas Lions’ football ecosystem, which walked away with an extraordinary six awards.
Hakimi Crowned Africa’s Best After Trophy-Laden Season
Paris Saint-Germain full-back, Achraf Hakimi capped the greatest year of his career by winning the African Player of the Year (Men) award, edging Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah.
The 27-year-old, who lifted five trophies with PSG in 2024/25, received one of the night’s loudest ovations. In an emotional acceptance speech, he said:
“I dedicate this award to every Moroccan child who dreams big. This is not just for me; it’s for the whole country that believed in us.”
Hakimi is a result and legacy of Morocco extraordinary rise in global football and his award adds to a remarkable trophy cabinet that already includes the;
- Ligue 1 title,
- UEFA Champions League,
- Coupe de France,
- Trophée des Champions, and
- UEFA Super Cup.
Ghizlane Chebbak Becomes First Moroccan Woman to Win POTY
In the women’s category, Ghizlane Chebbak made history of her own, becoming Morocco’s first-ever Women’s African Player of the Year.
The Al-Hilal midfielder beat compatriot Sanaa Mssoudy and Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade, to claim the prestigious title.
Her win secured Morocco a historic double, something no African nation had ever achieved before.
Morocco’s Night of Glory: Six Awards in Total
Beyond the two headline awards, Morocco’s football success resonated through multiple categories:
- Men’s Player of the Year – Achraf Hakimi
- Women’s Player of the Year -Ghizlane Chebbak
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Goalkeeper of the Year – Yassine Bounou
- Women’s Young Player of the Year – Doha El Madani
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Men’s Young Player of the Year – Othmane Maamma
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Men’s National Team of the Year:- Morocco’s U20 was awarded to the U-20 team, who made history by winning the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, becoming Africa’s first-ever champions at that level.
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Nnadozie and Super Falcons Claim Major Honours
Nigeria did not leave Rabat empty-handed. Super Falcons captain, Chiamaka Nnadozie retained her Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award after a brilliant season at Brighton & Hove Albion.
This is also her third consecutive win in the category, after winning the award 2023 and 2024 and now, 2025.
The Super Falcons were also honored as the Women’s National Team of the Year, following their record-extending tenth WAFCON title, clinched in 2024.
Other Major Winners of the Night
The ceremony also celebrated standout achievements from across the continent:
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Men’s Coach of the Year:
Bubista (Cape Verde):- rewarded for guiding the Blue Sharks to their historic first-ever FIFA World Cup qualification. -
Men’s Interclub Player of the Year:
Fiston Mayele (DR Congo):- recognised for his decisive role in Pyramids FC’s CAF Champions League triumph. -
Goal of the Year (Fan Vote):
Clement Mzize (Tanzania) — for his spectacular long-range strike against TP Mazembe.
CAF President Honours 2027 AFCON Co-Hosts
CAF President, Patrice Motsepe also presented the President’s Outstanding Achievement Award to the leaders of:
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Kenya — President William Ruto
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Tanzania — President Samia Suluhu Hassan
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Uganda — President Yoweri Museveni
The award recognised their joint commitment and collaboration in preparing to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, East Africa’s first AFCON since 1976.
Women’s Categories Deferred Until CAF WCL Final
Three women’s awards;
- Coach of the Year,
- Club of the Year, and
- Interclub Player of the Year
were postponed until after the conclusion of the 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League final later this month, ensuring all finalists are duly considered.
CAF AWARDS 2025 WINNERS
CAF PLAYER OF THE YEAR (MEN)
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain)
CAF PLAYER OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)
Ghizlane Chebbak (Morocco / Al Hilal)
CAF GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR (MEN)
Yassine Bounou (Morocco / Al Hilal)
CAF GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria / Brighton & Hove Albion)
CAF INTERCLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR (MEN)
Fiston Mayele (DR Congo / Pyramids)
CAF YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR (MEN)
Othmane Maamma (Morocco / Watford)
CAF YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)
Doha El Madani (Morocco / AS FAR)
CAF COACH OF THE YEAR (MEN)
Bubista (Cape Verde)
CAF NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR (MEN)
Morocco Under-20
CAF NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)
Nigeria (Super Falcons)
CAF CLUB OF THE YEAR (MEN)
Pyramids (Egypt)
REFEREE OF THE YEAR (MEN)
Omar Abdulkadir (Somalia)
ASSISTANT REFEREE OF THE YEAR (MEN)
Liban Abdoulrazack (Djibouti)
REFEREE OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)
Shamirah Nabadda (Uganda)
ASSISTANT REFEREE OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)
Tabara Mbodji (Senegal)
