Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi was on Wednesday named CAF Men’s Player of the Year, capping a remarkable season in which he lifted the UEFA Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain.
The 27-year-old right-back also added a fourth Ligue 1 title, the French Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup to his honours last season. PSG, however, fell short in the FIFA Club World Cup final in New York, where Hakimi had to settle for a runners-up medal.
Hakimi beat out two former winners—Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen—to claim the award for the first time in his career.
“It’s really an honour for me to be here today, and I’m proud to win such a prestigious trophy,” Hakimi said, thanking his family, teammates, and Morocco coach Walid Regragui.
Currently sidelined with a severe ankle sprain, Hakimi is expected to lead hosts Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations starting December 21, should he recover in time. The Atlas Lions are chasing their first AFCON title since 1976.
It was also a big night for Moroccan women’s football. Ghizlane Chebbak was named CAF Women’s Player of the Year, beating compatriot Sanaa Mssoudy and Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade. Chebbak, who plays for Al Hilal, finished as top scorer at this year’s Africa Women’s Cup of Nations, where Morocco finished runners-up to Nigeria.
Morocco dominated the awards, with goalkeeper Yassine Bounou winning Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year, while the nation’s U20 World Cup-winning side was voted Best Men’s National Team.
Watford’s Othmane Maamma, 20, won Best Young Men’s Player, and Doha El Madani retained her title as Best Young Women’s Player, adding to Morocco’s sweep.
Cape Verde manager Bubista was named Men’s Coach of the Year after guiding the island nation of just 525,000 people to qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Nigeria also featured on the honours list, as Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie clinched her third consecutive Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award.
AFP
