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The Kings Of African Football: Achraf Hakimi’s Shock 2025 Win And The Legends Who Defined The CAF Player Of The Year Award

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Player of the Year Award remains the continent's most coveted individual prize, a definitive statement on who stands as the premier talent in global football. As of the most recent ceremony, held in late 2025, the football world witnessed a significant upset, crowning a new king who has reshaped the narrative for African defenders.

This prestigious accolade, which celebrates the brilliance of African footballers across the globe, is not just about goals or assists. It represents the culmination of a year's worth of exceptional performance, influence, and leadership at both club and international levels. The 2025 ceremony, in particular, delivered a surprise result that has ignited debate among fans and pundits alike, solidifying its status as a truly unpredictable and high-stakes honour.

Achraf Hakimi: The New King Crowned at the 2025 CAF Awards

The 2025 CAF Awards ceremony delivered one of the biggest shocks in recent memory, with Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi securing the coveted African Men's Player of the Year award. The Paris Saint-Germain full-back triumphed over a field of world-class talent, including two-time winner Mohamed Salah and previous favourite Victor Osimhen.

Hakimi's victory is particularly notable as he is a defender, a position that rarely receives the top individual accolades in football. His win highlights a shift in focus towards all-around impact and exceptional club success.

Achraf Hakimi: Player Profile & 2025 Winning Season

  • Full Name: Achraf Hakimi Mouh
  • Date of Birth: 4 November 1998 (Age 27 as of late 2025)
  • Nationality: Moroccan
  • Club: Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)
  • Position: Right-back/Wing-back
  • Key Achievements in 2025: UEFA Champions League winner (with PSG), Ligue 1 title, and a strong run in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with Morocco.
  • Predecessor: Victor Osimhen (2023 winner).

The Moroccan captain’s success was built on a foundation of consistent, high-energy performances for his club, culminating in a historic UEFA Champions League triumph. His blend of defensive solidity and blistering attacking output from the right flank made him an indispensable asset for PSG. His influence extends beyond the pitch, as a key figure and leader for the Moroccan national team, the Atlas Lions.

Hakimi's win signals a new era, proving that the award is not solely reserved for strikers and attacking midfielders. He joins a small, elite group of defenders to have ever won the prize, a testament to his modern, all-action style of play.

The All-Time Greats: Record Holders and Multi-Time Winners

To truly appreciate the magnitude of the CAF Player of the Year award, one must look at the legends who have etched their names into its history. The award's legacy is defined by the players who showed sustained dominance, often winning the prize multiple times in succession. These players represent the gold standard of African footballing excellence.

The Four-Time Kings: Samuel Eto'o and Yaya Touré

The record for the most wins is jointly held by two colossal figures of the modern game: Samuel Eto'o of Cameroon and Yaya Touré of Ivory Coast, both with four titles each.

  • Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon): Eto'o, a prolific striker, won the award in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2010. His peak years saw him dominate European football with FC Barcelona and Inter Milan, winning multiple Champions League titles. His three consecutive wins (2003-2005) established a benchmark for sustained excellence.
  • Yaya Touré (Ivory Coast): The Ivorian powerhouse midfielder won four consecutive awards from 2011 to 2014, a feat of unbelievable consistency. His era at Manchester City, where he was the driving force behind their Premier League success, is considered one of the most dominant periods by an African player in England.

Their rivalry and subsequent shared record highlight a golden age for African talent, setting a standard that current stars like Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen are constantly chasing. Salah is currently a two-time winner (2017, 2018), while Osimhen is a one-time winner (2023).

Legends Who Paved the Way

Before the CAF award was officially established in 1992, the French magazine France Football presented a similar African Player of the Year award, which is often considered a precursor. Key winners from this era include:

  • Abedi Pele (Ghana): Won three consecutive awards (1991–1993), bridging the gap between the old and new formats.
  • George Weah (Liberia): The only African player to win the prestigious Ballon d'Or (1995), he also claimed the CAF award in the same year. He remains a towering figure in the award’s history.
  • Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast): A two-time winner (2006, 2009), Drogba is notable for having the most runner-up appearances, demonstrating his consistent presence at the top of the game for over a decade.

The Prestige and Evolution of the CAF Awards

The history of the African Player of the Year award is one of evolution and increasing global recognition. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) officially took over the award in 1992, solidifying its status as the continent's official and most authoritative honour.

Selection Criteria and Voting Process

The process for selecting the winner is rigorous and designed to reflect a consensus from across the African football community. The winner is determined through a voting system that typically includes:

  • CAF Technical Committee: Experts who assess performance.
  • Media Experts: Journalists and commentators from across Africa.
  • Head Coaches/Technical Directors: Figures from CAF member associations.
  • Captains of the Senior National Teams: The players themselves have a say.

The criteria focus on overall performance during the assessment period (usually the calendar year), including club and national team achievements, fair play, and general conduct. This comprehensive approach ensures the award goes to the player who has truly excelled on all fronts.

Other Major CAF Award Categories

The CAF Awards ceremony is a celebration of African footballing excellence across numerous categories, adding significant topical authority to the event. These other awards highlight the depth of talent and management on the continent:

  • African Women's Player of the Year: A highly competitive category, most recently won by Asisat Oshoala or a new star like Fatima Tagnaout.
  • Coach of the Year: Recognising outstanding managerial performance.
  • Men's National Team of the Year: Celebrating the best-performing national side, often influenced by the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) results.
  • Club of the Year: Honouring the top club in African inter-club competitions like the CAF Champions League.
  • African Inter-Club Player of the Year: Recognising the best player based on the African continent.

The inclusion of these categories elevates the CAF Awards from a single player prize to a comprehensive gala, cementing its importance in the global football calendar.

The Future of African Football: Contenders and Emerging Stars

The 2025 award cycle was incredibly tight, showcasing the high level of competition at the top. The final shortlist featured not just the winner, Achraf Hakimi, but also a mix of established stars and emerging talents, pointing to a bright future for African football.

The nominees for the 2024 (and often overlapping with the 2025 consideration period) Men's Player of the Year included:

  • Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast / Brighton): A key figure in Ivory Coast’s AFCON success.
  • Serhou Guirassy (Guinea / Borussia Dortmund): A record-breaking goalscorer in the Bundesliga.
  • Ademola Lookman (Nigeria / Atalanta): Star of the Europa League final and a strong performer for the Super Eagles.
  • William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria / PAOK): An influential defender and AFCON Golden Ball winner.

These players, alongside perennial contenders like Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen, guarantee that the race for the next African Player of the Year award will be fiercely contested. The increasing presence of African players dominating top European leagues, from the Premier League to Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga, ensures the award's prestige continues to grow on the world stage. The African Player of the Year award is more than just a trophy; it is a symbol of the continent's growing influence and undeniable talent in the beautiful game.

The Kings of African Football: Achraf Hakimi’s Shock 2025 Win and the Legends Who Defined the CAF Player of the Year Award
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