MWE Correspondent
Achraf Hakimi has officially been crowned the 2025 CAF Player of the Year, capping off a remarkable season that positioned him among the world’s elite.
The Moroccan defender outperformed prominent African football icons Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen after a history-making campaign that guided his club to multiple major trophies.
Hakimi was one of the driving forces behind Paris Saint-Germain’s dominant run, helping the team secure an unprecedented four-title sweep — winning the [Ligue 1] championship, the UEFA Champions League, the Coupe de France and the Trophée des Champions. His outstanding form also earned him a sixth-place finish in the [Ballon d’Or] rankings, marking one of the best years of his career.
Across the 2024/25 season, Hakimi combined consistency with match-winning quality. In Ligue 1, he scored six goals and provided four assists, while in the Champions League he added another five goals and four assists — outstanding numbers for a full-back. His defensive contributions were equally impressive, helping his side keep 10 clean sheets and logging more than 3,400 minutes across all competitions. His efforts earned him places in the UEFA Champions League Team of the Season, the Ligue 1 Team of the Season and the CAF Team of the Year.
The awards night also celebrated the rise of Congolese striker Fiston Mayele, who won the Interclub Player of the Year after an exceptional year with his current club. Mayele finished as the leading scorer of the CAF Champions League with six goals, guiding his team to a historic continental title. He added to his achievements by scoring a memorable hat-trick in the African-Asian-Pacific Cup final, helping secure another major trophy.
Mayele surpassed strong competition from teammate Mohamed Chibi and RS Berkane forward Oussama Lamlioui to clinch the prestigious award.
Also Read; Government Pushes Efficiency Across Water Sector
Tanzania also witnessed a historic moment as Clement Mzize won the 2025 CAF Goal of the Year, becoming the first Tanzanian to claim the honour. Despite being unable to attend the ceremony in Morocco due to injury, Mzize shared an emotional video message thanking supporters, teammates and everyone who had supported his journey.
Mzize’s winning goal came from a powerful long-range strike against TP Mazembe during Young Africans’ 3–0 victory in the 2024–2025 CAF Champions League — a moment now etched into African football history. His strike was chosen from a highly competitive list of nominees that captivated fans across the continent.
Among the shortlisted players were Abdellah Ouazane for his spectacular effort against Tanzania, Egypt’s Anas Roshdy for his goal against South Africa, and Asharaf Tapsoba of Burkina Faso for his finish against Cameroon. Other shortlisted names included Barbra Banda, Calvin Fely, Ghizlane Chebbak, Ibrahim Adel and several standout performers from across Africa.
The night highlighted the diversity and richness of African talent — from emerging young stars to seasoned professionals — and reaffirmed the continent’s growing influence on global football.
This year’s awards once again showcased Africa’s ability to produce footballers who shine on the world stage, none more so than Hakimi, whose achievements continue to elevate him among the game’s greatest modern defenders.
