By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata
Morocco swept top honours at the 2025 CAF Awards in Rabat, with Achraf Hakimi making history as the first defender in 52 years to win African Player of the Year.
His victory also marked Morocco’s first since 1998.
Ghizlane Chebbak was named Women’s Player of the Year, while Yassine Bounou won Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year. Rising talents were also recognised, with Othmane Maamma and Doha El Madani claiming the youth awards.
Nigeria recorded major wins as the Super Falcons were crowned Women’s Team of the Year, and Chiamaka Nnadozie secured her third consecutive Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award.
The ceremony, held at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, also honoured top performers across Africa.
Achraf Hakimi emerged as Men’s Player of the Year; Ghizlane Chebbak won Women’s Player of the Year; Yassine Bounou took Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year; Chiamaka Nnadozie won Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year; Othmane Maamma and Doha El Madani clinched the Men’s and Women’s Youth Player awards respectively; Ibrahim Mayele and Shamirah Nabbadda were named Interclub Players of the Year; Bubista won Men’s Coach of the Year; Pyramids FC claimed Men’s Club of the Year; Morocco’s U-20 team won Men’s Team of the Year; Nigeria’s Super Falcons clinched Women’s Team of the Year; Clement Mizize won Goal of the Year; Omar Abdulkadir Artan and Liban Abdulrazack were named Men’s and Women’s Referees of the Year; Shamirah Nabbadda was honoured as Women’s Referee of the Year; and Tabara Moodji and Liban Abdulrazack were recognised as Assistant Referees of the Year.
