Africa celebrated one of its proudest football moments in Rabat as Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Ghizlane Chebbak were honoured as the continent’s top male and female players of 2025.
The awards — held on African soil, before African fans, and recognising African excellence — marked a powerful statement about the rising influence of African football on the global stage.
Hakimi’s Triumph: Africa’s Champion on the World Stage
Achraf Hakimi, the Moroccan star whose electric performances have captivated the world, was finally crowned Africa’s best. At 27, he has become the first Moroccan since Mustapha Hadji in 1998 to lift the prize — and he does so in a year where he stood tall for both PSG and the Atlas Lions.
With PSG, Hakimi played a central role in lifting the Champions League, scoring the opener in the final and helping secure a clean sweep of French trophies. His success is more than personal — it is a celebration for all African defenders who continue to redefine excellence in world football.
Despite a painful ankle injury picked up in the Champions League, Hakimi used the moment to rally the continent ahead of Afcon 2025, which Morocco hosts.
> “This trophy is for every African with big dreams,” he said, hopping onto the stage without placing weight on his injured foot — a symbol of the resilience African athletes are known for.
Chebbak’s Victory: A Milestone for African Women’s Football
On the women’s side, Ghizlane Chebbak delivered another moment of pride for Africa, becoming the first Moroccan woman to win the continent’s highest individual honour since the award began in 2001.
Her performances at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations — where she captained Morocco to the final and finished as top scorer — cemented her legacy in African football history. Though Nigeria won the title, Chebbak’s leadership and artistry lit up the tournament.
Her win signals a new era for women’s football in Africa, where nations like Morocco, Nigeria, Zambia, and South Africa continue to raise standards and inspire millions of girls across the continent.
Africa’s Rising Stars and Visionary Leaders Recognised
The night also celebrated the next generation and the strategists shaping African football:
Bubista of Cape Verde earned Men’s Coach of the Year after inspiring the island nation to their first ever World Cup qualification — a triumph for small nations across Africa.
Othmane Maamma, the young Moroccan star, was honoured after winning Golden Ball at the U20 World Cup, showcasing the depth of Africa’s youth talent.
Chiamaka Nnadozie, Nigeria’s standout goalkeeper, claimed the women’s prize for the third consecutive year, underlining Africa’s dominance in global goalkeeping.
African presidents who helped organise the 2024 African Nations Championship — from Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda — were also honoured, reaffirming East Africa’s growing influence as they prepare to co-host Afcon 2027.
A Celebration of African Football’s Present and Future
The 2025 CAF Awards in Rabat did more than recognise individual brilliance. The ceremony reaffirmed Africa’s footballing identity, ambition, unity, and global rising power. From North Africa to West Africa, from small island nations to giant footballing powers, the continent continues to show the world that African football is here — vibrant, fearless, and unstoppable.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.
