Achraf Hakimi capped a monster year by scooping the CAF Men’s Player of the Year award in Rabat, becoming the first defender since 1973 to take Africa’s top individual honour after beating Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen to the prize.
The Paris Saint-Germain right-back, 27, was hailed on Wednesday night after a season where just about everything he touched went right. Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, UEFA Super Cup, even a Club World Cup final, Hakimi stacked the lot, and then helped drive Morocco to the 2026 World Cup. Hardly surprising the judges came calling.
Not since Bwanga Tshimen, back in 1973, has a defender heard his name read out for this gong. And not since Mustapha Hadji in 1998 has a Moroccan claimed the continent’s crown, making Hakimi’s win feel like a proper landmark moment for the Atlas Lions.
“It’s a proud moment for me,” Hakimi said on stage, clearly fighting a bit of emotion. “This trophy is not just for me, but for all the strong men and women with dreams in Africa.” He thanked coaches, family, and anyone who backed him since childhood, saying they “always believed” he’d reach the top. Turns out they was right.
Born in Madrid and now widely regarded as the world’s best right-back, Hakimi has already rattled through Real Madrid, Dortmund and Inter before becoming a main man at PSG. The ceremony in Rabat only cemented how far he’s climbed.
It was a huge night for Morocco all round. Ghizlane Chebbak walked off with the Women’s Player of the Year award after top-scoring at WAFCON, earning herself a move to Al-Hilal. Yassine Bounou, fresh from a standout year with Al-Hilal and Morocco, grabbed Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year. Young stars Othmane Maamma and Doha El Madani also cleaned up in the youth categories.
Nigeria didn’t leave empty-handed either: Chiamaka Nnadozie kept hold of the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year crown for a third straight year after guiding the Super Falcons to the WAFCON title. And Cape Verde boss Bubista nabbed Coach of the Year for pulling off a miracle, getting his tiny island nation to their first ever World Cup.
In the club stakes, Pyramids’ CAF Champions League triumph delivered them the Men’s Club of the Year award, while their striker Fiston Mayele earned Interclub Player of the Year after topping the Champions League scoring charts. Tanzania’s Clement Mzize pocketed Goal of the Year for a screamer against TP Mazembe, the only fan-voted prize on the night.
Morocco’s U20 side were unsurprisingly named Men’s National Team of the Year after lifting the FIFA U20 World Cup, while Nigeria’s Super Falcons repeated as Women’s National Team of the Year.
CAF will confirm the remaining women’s club and coaching awards once the Women’s Champions League wraps up in Egypt, but for now, the night belonged to Hakimi and a Moroccan football machine that just keeps rolling.
