2025 CAF Player of the Year Award: Achraf Hakimi, Mo Salah or Victor Osimhen?
The 2025 CAF Player of the Year race is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. With three standout candidates, Achraf Hakimi, Mohamed Salah, and Victor Osimhen the question now is: who truly deserves Africa’s top individual football honour?
A Glorious Season for Hakimi
If I had to cast a vote, it would go straight to Achraf Hakimi. The Moroccan full-back has had a phenomenal season with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), not just defensively but also in attack.
Hakimi scored important goals throughout the campaign and was a key part of the PSG side that won four major trophies, the Trophée des Champions, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and the UEFA Champions League. His opening goal in the 5–0 Champions League final win against Inter Milan was a clear highlight of his season.
He finished the Champions League with four goals and five assists, and added five goals and seven assists in domestic competitions. These are huge numbers for a right-back and show how much he contributed across all fronts.
Let’s not forget, Hakimi finished second in the 2024 CAF Player of the Year voting, and after such a campaign, he truly deserves to taste the award this year. Football shouldn’t only celebrate strikers, when defenders shine, they should get the same recognition.
Mo Salah: Still a Giant of African Football
It’s hard to overlook Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian forward led Liverpool to the Premier League title and was once considered the clear favourite for the award.
Salah finished the league season with a stunning 29 goals in 38 matches, claiming the Golden Boot for a record-equalling fourth time, matching Thierry Henry. He also topped the assists chart with 18, earning the Playmaker Award.
Salah’s influence on Liverpool’s success was massive. He has continued to show consistency at the highest level, and his name will rightly be on the final shortlist. However, the spotlight might be dimming slightly as the focus shifts to newer, fresher stories this season.
Victor Osimhen: The Nigerian Warrior
Victor Osimhen, the pride of Nigeria, will also make the shortlist. He remains a top striker in Europe and is widely respected across the continent. But unfortunately, his season hasn’t hit the same heights as Hakimi’s or Salah’s.
Yes, Osimhen scored important goals for Napoli, and yes, his passion and work ethic are never in question. But this year, no drums will be played, because we are likely handing over the crown to our North African brothers. Osimhen’s time may still come again, but 2025 might not be his year.
Final Word
The CAF Player of the Year award is about performance, impact, and silverware. All three contenders Hakimi, Salah, and Osimhen are worthy in their own right. But for me, Achraf Hakimi has done enough. He has been solid, sharp, and successful. A defender by trade, but a game-changer in reality.
In 2025, let football rightly celebrate a full-back who played like a forward and led like a champion. Hakimi deserves it.
