Moroccan and Nigerian players dominate both men’s and women’s award nominations
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the shortlists for the 2025 African Player of the Year awards, featuring Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi, Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah for the men’s prize.
The women’s award will see Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak and Sanaa Mssoudy compete against Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade.
Hakimi comes into the contest after helping PSG win their first UEFA Champions League title, though an injury may affect his availability for Morocco’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign on home soil this December.
Salah, who has already won the African award twice, played a crucial role in Liverpool’s record-equalling 20th league title last season, finishing as Premier League top scorer with 29 goals.
Osimhen has been in outstanding form for club and country, though a hat-trick against Ajax and two goals in Nigeria’s World Cup playoff win over Gabon came after the October 15 judging deadline and will not be considered.
In the women’s category, Ajibade was named best player at this year’s Africa Women’s Cup of Nations, while Chebbak finished as the tournament’s top scorer. Mssoudy has helped her club FAR become one of Africa’s strongest women’s teams.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Rabat on Wednesday.
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