The countdown is on as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially unveiled its final contenders for the 2025 CAF Awards, set to light up Rabat, Morocco, on Wednesday, November 19.
Front and center in the Men’s Player of the Year race are three giants of the African game. Egyptian talisman Mohamed Salah, Nigerian goal-machine Victor Osimhen, and Morocco’s electric full-back Achraf Hakimi will battle for the continent’s most coveted individual prize.
Salah continues to carry Egypt’s hopes on the international stage, helping the Pharaohs secure qualification for both the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup, all while playing a pivotal role in Liverpool’s Premier League triumph.
Salah and four other highest scoring African footballers in EPL history
Hakimi’s year has been one of pure sparkle, a Champions League winner with PSG, a Ligue 1 title in his back pocket, and a key figure in Morocco’s unbeaten runs to both AFCON and World Cup qualification.
Osimhen may have missed out on leading Nigeria to the World Cup, but his goal-scoring exploits in Turkey with Galatasaray, combined with steering the Super Eagles to the AFCON, kept him firmly in the conversation.
CAF’s announcement didn’t stop there, seven men’s categories are now locked in, each spotlighting the best performers across Africa’s competitive landscape between January 6 and October 15, 2025.
Ex-Super Eagles back Osimhen and Nwabali for 2025 CAF Awards
Full Shortlist
Men’s Player of the Year
- Mohamed Salah (Egypt / Liverpool)
- Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain)
- Victor Osimhen (Nigeria / Galatasaray)
Goalkeeper of the Year
- Munir Mohamedi (Morocco / RS Berkane)
- Yassine Bonou (Morocco / Al Hilal)
- Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)
𝗚𝗼𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 (𝗠𝗲𝗻) – 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀#CAFAwards2025 pic.twitter.com/jmbfoqshwX
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) November 16, 2025
Interclub Player of the Year
- Fiston Mayele (DR Congo / Pyramids)
- Mohamed Chibi (Morocco / Pyramids)
- Oussama Lamlioui (Morocco / RS Berkane)
Coach of the Year
- Bubista (Cape Verde)
- Mohamed Ouahbi (Morocco U-20)
- Walid Regragui (Morocco)
𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 (𝗠𝗲𝗻) – 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀#CAFAwards2025 pic.twitter.com/UL3ftAP3sg
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) November 16, 2025
Young Player of the Year
- Abdellah Ouazane (Morocco / Ajax)
- Othmane Maamma (Morocco / Watford)
- Tylon Smith (South Africa / Queens Park Rangers)
National Team of the Year
- Cape Verde
- Morocco
- Morocco U-20
𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 (𝗠𝗲𝗻) – 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀#CAFAwards2025 pic.twitter.com/ojr0D4Y1qn
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) November 16, 2025
Club of the Year
- Pyramids
- RS Berkane
- Mamelodi Sundowns
With the stage set and the best of African football in the spotlight, all eyes now turn to Rabat as the continent awaits its new kings.
