Morocco’s captain Achraf Hakimi was crowned African Men’s Player of the Year on Wednesday, capping an impressive season that saw him lift the UEFA Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain.
The 27-year-old also added a fourth Ligue 1 title, the French Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup to his collection last season, though PSG fell short in the Club World Cup final, leaving Hakimi with a runners-up medal in New York.
Hakimi edged out former winners Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen to claim the prestigious 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, expressing gratitude to his family, teammates, and Morocco coach Walid Regragui.
Currently sidelined with a severe ankle sprain, Hakimi is expected to lead host nation Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations, starting December 21, as they aim to win the title for the first time since 1976.
On the women’s side, Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak claimed African Women’s Player of the Year, beating compatriot Sanaa Mssoudy and Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade. Chebbak, a forward for Al Hilal, was the leading scorer in this year’s Africa Women’s Cup of Nations, although her side fell to Nigeria in the final.
It was a memorable night for Morocco, which also saw Yassine Bounou named Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year, while the Moroccan under-20 World Cup-winning team was voted Best Men’s National Team.
Other notable winners included Othmane Maamma, the 20-year-old Moroccan from Watford, who claimed Best Young Men’s Player, and compatriot Doha El Madani, who retained Best Young Women’s Player.
Cape Verde coach Bubista was named Men’s Coach of the Year after leading his 525,000-strong nation to qualification for the 2026 World Cup, while Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie secured her third consecutive Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award.
