RABAT: Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi was crowned African Footballer of the Year at the 2025 CAF Awards in Rabat on Wednesday, becoming the first defender in 52 years to earn the honour as he finished ahead of Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen in the final vote.
The Moroccan full-back received the accolade after an outstanding 2025 season with PSG, during which he lifted the Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France and UEFA Super Cup.
Hakimi is the first Moroccan player to take the award since Mustapha Hadji in 1998 and the first defender to do so since Zaire’s Bwanga Tshimen in 1973.