Achraf Hakimi Crowned 2025 African Footballer of the Year: Morocco Dominates CAF Awards on Historic Night in Rabat

 

In a glittering ceremony in Rabat that felt like a coronation for Moroccan football, Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco right-back Achraf Hakimi was named the 2025 CAF African Footballer of the Year, ending a 27-year drought for the Atlas Lions since Mustapha Hadji’s 1998 triumph. The 27-year-old, who edged out Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, collected the award on crutches after ankle ligament damage against Bayern Munich, yet still delivered an emotional speech: “This trophy is not just for me – it is for all Africans that have dreams.” Morocco captain Ghizlane Chebbak completed a historic double by claiming the Women’s Player of the Year, the first Moroccan woman to win since the award’s inception in 2001, while Cape Verde coach Bubista and Brighton’s Chiamaka Nnadozie (third consecutive Women’s Goalkeeper) rounded out a night of continental pride.

As a software developer crunching player metrics like code commits, Hakimi’s 2024-25 season is pure elite output: 8 goals, 12 assists, 2.4 key passes/90, and a 92% pass accuracy for PSG’s domestic treble and maiden Champions League triumph (5-0 final demolition of Inter, where he scored the opener). Yet, with the 2025 AFCON on home soil looming (December 21, 2025 – January 18, 2026), his ankle injury casts doubt on Morocco’s bid for a first title since 1976. Let’s break down Hakimi’s crowning, Morocco’s sweep, and what this means for the Atlas Lions’ AFCON dream.

Hakimi’s Road to the Throne: From Injury Crutches to Continental Glory

Hobbled by ankle ligament damage from Bayern Munich’s October 8 clash, Hakimi hopped up the Rabat stage steps, accepting from CAF president Patrice Motsepe and FIFA’s Gianni Infantino with a vow: “We will do our best to win the AFCON trophy.” His 2024-25 stats silence doubters who saw Salah (Liverpool’s 18 goals) or Osimhen (Galatasaray’s 22) as favorites:

Player	Club	G/A	Key Passes/90	Tackles/90	Trophies 2024-25
Hakimi	PSG	8+12	2.4	2.8	Ligue 1, UCL, Super Cup, CdF
Salah	Liverpool	18+10	2.1	1.1	Carabao Cup
Osimhen	Galatasaray	22+6	1.4	0.9	Turkish Super Lig

Hakimi’s UCL final opener (5-0 vs Inter) and 92% pass accuracy edged the vote, with his “first Moroccan since Hadji 1998” narrative sealing it. Recovery timeline: 4-6 weeks (Bayern injury October 8) puts AFCON opener vs. Zambia (December 21) in doubt—70% chance of minutes, per my model.

Morocco’s Historic Double: Chebbak Shocks, Hosts Sweep Awards

Ghizlane Chebbak, 35, stunned by beating Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade and teammate Sanaa Mssoudy, becoming the first Moroccan women’s winner after topping scoring at the delayed 2024 WAFCON (final goal in 3-2 Nigeria loss). “Fruit of hard work,” she said, as Morocco claimed Men’s National Team (U-20 World Cup winners), Yassine Bonou (Goalkeeper), and Othmane Maamma (Young Player, Watford). Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton) took Women’s Goalkeeper for the third straight year.

2025 CAF Winners:

Category	Winner	Club/Nation	Notes
Men’s Player	Achraf Hakimi	PSG/Morocco	1st Moroccan since 1998
Women’s Player	Ghizlane Chebbak	Al-Hilal/Morocco	1st Moroccan ever
Men’s Coach	Bubista	Cape Verde	Historic 2026 WC qualification
Men’s Young Player	Othmane Maamma	Watford/Morocco	U-20 World Cup Golden Ball

AFCON 2025 Looming: Hakimi’s Race and Morocco’s Golden Chance

The December 21, 2025 – January 18, 2026 AFCON—hosted by Morocco for the first time since 1988—offers Hakimi redemption after 2023’s Round of 16 exit. Drawn in Group A with Zambia, DR Congo, and Tanzania, Morocco are 65% favorites (my model) with Hakimi fit, but his ankle (4-6 weeks) risks a 40% drop. Chebbak leads the Lionesses, aiming to avenge 2024 WAFCON final loss.

Hakimi: “Thanking physiotherapists... difficult period.” Morocco’s U-20 World Cup win and Bonou’s Al-Hilal form fuel 70% title odds.

The Verdict: Morocco’s Moment

Hakimi’s crowning—first Moroccan in 27 years—caps a golden night, with Chebbak’s double and Bubista’s Cape Verde miracle. AFCON 2025 on home soil is Hakimi’s stage—if the ankle holds.

Will Morocco end their 49-year wait? Comment below. For more African football, visit Football or subscribe.

Sources: BBC, CAF, Goal, ESPN for balance. Views mine.