MOROCCO STARS SHINE BRIGHT AS HAKIMI AND CHEBBAK NAMED AFRICA’S BEST

By: Gyang Dakwo

Achraf Hakimi and his fellow Moroccan Ghizlane Chebbak both won top honors at the CAF Awards 2025 in Rabat on Wednesday. This created a double triumph for their home country as the best football performers in Africa were celebrated.

The ceremony was filled with stars from across the continent and beyond. Players, coaches, and legends all gathered for this event, and it was a joyful celebration of African football’s excellence as the sport continues to grow on the world stage.

Paris Saint Germain defender Achraf Hakimi was named the CAF Men’s Player of the Year. He had a sensational year in 2025 where he won the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, French Ligue 1, and the Coupe de France. His team also reached the final of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

He also helped Morocco qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026. This win makes him the first defender to be named Africa’s best player since 1973, and he is the first Moroccan man to win since Mustapha Hadji in 1998.

For the women, Ghizlane Chebbak was named the CAF Women’s Player of the Year. She has been a model of consistency for both her club and her country throughout 2025. She was the leading scorer at the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in July, and her team finished as runners up to Nigeria.

She moved from her club in Morocco, AS FAR, to the Saudi club Al Hilal ahead of the new season. There she is a teammate of the famous six-time winner of this award, Asisat Oshoala. Chebbak is the very first woman from Morocco ever to win this prize.

Another Moroccan player was recognized as Yassine Bounou claimed the CAF Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year award. He had a standout year which included being named to the Best XI at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie held on to the CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award. This is the third year in a row she has won it. She helped her team, the Super Falcons, secure the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title.

The CAF Men’s Coach of the Year award went toPedro Leitao Brito, widely known as Bubista. He led the Cape Verde team to their first ever FIFA World Cup qualification for the 2026 tournament. This is considered the greatest achievement in the history of the country’s football.

The winner of the CAF Women’s Coach of the Year award will be announced later, after the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions League in Egypt is finished.