Osimhen, Salah, Hakimi Lead Final Nominees for CAF African Player of the Year Award
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled the final list of nominees for the 2025 African Men’s Player of the Year award, with Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi emerging as the frontrunners.
The announcement, which comes ahead of the prestigious CAF Awards ceremony later this year, reflects the outstanding performances of African players across domestic and international competitions.
Victor Osimhen, who enjoyed a stellar season with Galatasaray, is celebrated for his remarkable scoring prowess, netting 37 goals in 41 appearances, in addition to contributing crucial assists. Mohamed Salah continues to demonstrate his enduring influence at Liverpool, combining goal-scoring consistency with decisive playmaking. Achraf Hakimi, known for his attacking contributions from defence, has impressed with his performances at Paris Saint-Germain, helping his team secure multiple trophies.
The full shortlist includes ten players, with other notable nominees such as André‑Frank Zambo Anguissa (Cameroon), Fiston Mayele (DR Congo), Denis Bouanga (Gabon), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea), Oussama Lamlioui, Pape Matar Sarr, and Iliman Ndiaye, highlighting the depth of talent across the continent.
CAF’s Technical & Development Committee, alongside former players, coaches, and media representatives, compiled the list after evaluating performances between January 6 and October 15, 2025.
The winner will be determined through votes from the same panel, taking into account not only statistical achievements but also impact, leadership, and influence on both club and national team performances.
Football analysts suggest that Osimhen, a former CAF Player of the Year, is in strong contention due to his extraordinary season, while Salah and Hakimi’s consistency and high-profile contributions make them formidable competitors.
The award is widely regarded as the pinnacle of individual recognition in African football, and the announcement of the winner is expected to spark lively debate among fans and pundits alike.
The CAF Awards ceremony, where the 2025 African Men’s Player of the Year will be crowned, is anticipated later in the year, with the footballing world keenly watching to see which of the continent’s top performers will claim the prestigious title.
