The 2025 CAF Awards ceremony, held at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Rabat on November 19, lit up the night with Moroccan excellence at its forefront.
Dubbed a “Golden Night” for the Atlas Lions, the event celebrated Africa’s top football talents from January 6 to October 15, 2025. While Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi stole headlines by clinching the Men’s Player of the Year, becoming the first defender to win since 1973!
Morocco swept six categories, underscoring their continental supremacy. Here’s a brief rundown of all major winners:
Men’s categories
Player of the Year: Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / PSG) – The 27-year-old right-back edged out Mohamed Salah (Egypt / Liverpool) and Victor Osimhen (Nigeria / Galatasaray) after starring in PSG’s UEFA Champions League triumph and Morocco’s 2026 World Cup qualification.
Goalkeeper of the Year: Yassine Bounou (Morocco / Al-Hilal) – Bounou earned recognition for his world-class saves, including a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Best XI.
Coach of the Year: Bubista (Cape Verde) – The tactician guided Cape Verde to impressive international results, marking a breakthrough for the island nation.Interclub Player of the Year: Fiston Mayele (DR Congo / Pyramids FC) – Mayele’s goal-scoring prowess powered Pyramids to their maiden CAF Champions League title.
Club of the Year: Pyramids FC (Egypt) – The Egyptian giants claimed their first-ever honour, thanks to a dominant defensive record and continental crown.
Women’s Categories
Player of the Year: Ghizlane Chebbak (Morocco / Al-Hilal) – Morocco’s captain topped the WAFCON 2025 scoring charts, leading the Atlas Lionesses to runners-up spot despite fierce competition from Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade and teammate Sanaa Mssoudy.
Goalkeeper of the Year: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria / Brighton & Hove Albion) – The Super Falcons shot-stopper secured a third straight win after Nigeria’s WAFCON 2024 victory and her move to the English WSL.
National Team of the Year: Nigeria (Super Falcons) – Back-to-back winners after their WAFCON triumph hosted in Morocco.Coach of the Year, Interclub Player of the Year, and Club of the Year: To be announced post the ongoing 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League in Egypt.
Youth and Special Awards
Young Player of the Year: Othmane Maamma (Morocco / Watford) – The midfielder shone in Morocco’s historic FIFA U-20 World Cup 2025 victory, Africa’s first-ever in the tournament.
Women’s Young Player of the Year: Doha El Madani (Morocco) – A back-to-back winner, El Madani topped scoring at the 2025 Women’s Futsal AFCON and claimed the Moroccan Women’s League title.
Men’s National Team of the Year: Morocco U-20 (Atlas Cubs) – Honoured for their groundbreaking U-20 World Cup success, including a shock win over Argentina.Goal of the Year: Clément Mzize (Tanzania / Young Africans) – The long-range stunner against TP Mazembe in the CAF Champions League captured imaginations across the continent.
Special Recognitions
CAF President’s Outstanding Achievement Awards: Presented to East African leaders—Kenya’s President William Ruto, Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan, and Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni,for advancing football development in the region. This is because of the success CHAN 2024 tournament held in the 3 East African Nations
Morocco’s haul reflects their meteoric rise, from senior stars like Hakimi and Bounou to youth sensations, while Nigeria’s women’s successes highlight balanced continental growth. With women’s categories pending, the awards reaffirm African football’s vibrant evolution on the global stage.
