BY ROSEMARY UGIOMOH
In a spectacular display of African football excellence, Achraf Hakimi and Ghizlane Chebbak led Morocco’s charge to claim the top honors at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards 2025 in Rabat. Hakimi was crowned African Player of the Year, while Chebbak took home the Women’s Player of the Year award, making history as Morocco’s first-ever winner.
Hakimi’s impressive season with Paris Saint-Germain, which included winning the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, French Ligue 1, and Coupe de France, earned him the prestigious award. He beat out strong competition from Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen, becoming the first Moroccan to win the award since Mustapha Hadji in 1998.
Chebbak, captain of the Moroccan women’s national team, dominated the women’s category, winning the Golden Boot at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and earning a spot in the FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11. She beat Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade and Morocco’s Sanaa Mssoudy to claim the award.
Other Winners:- 
Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year:Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria/Brighton) – a hat-trick winner, securing her third consecutive title
– *Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year:* Yassine Bounou (Morocco/Al-Hilal)
– *Men’s Coach of the Year:* Bubista (Cape Verde)
– *Women’s National Team of the Year:* Nigeria
– *Men’s National Team of the Year:* Morocco U-20.
The event celebrated Africa’s best football talents, with Morocco sweeping several awards. Hakimi’s win marks a milestone for Moroccan football, while Chebbak’s victory inspires future generations.
