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Achraf Hakimi of Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain has been crowned the 2025 Player of the Year by the Confederation of African Football, CAF.
The 27-year-old won the prize ahead of Victor Osimhen (Nigeria, Galatasaray) and Mohamed Salah (Egypt, Liverpool).
Hakimi replaces Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman as the best player on the continent.
The defender had finished in second place for two consecutive years.
Read Also: Cameroon Suffer Injury Setbacks Ahead Of 2026 World Cup
Last season, Hakimi played a crucial role as PSG won the French Ligue 1, the French Cup, and their first-ever UEFA Champions League title.
Hakimi is currently injured and was spotted arriving for Monday’s awards ceremony with his foot heavily strapped.
Nigeria will face the Democratic Republic of Congo in the 2026 World Cup playoff final on Sunday.
The winner of this game will represent Africa at the intercontinental playoff in March 2026.
The Super Eagles on Thursday, thrashed Gabon 4-1 in their semi-final game, with Victor Osimhen scoring twice in extra time.
In the second half of the day, DR Congo pulled off a surprise result, as they beat Cameroon 1-0.
Captain Chancel Mbemba headed in a late winner in stoppage time, to give his country a chance of qualifying for next year’s tournament.
The game will be played at the newly built Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.
The Super Eagles have defeated Gabon 4-1 in their 2026 World Cup playoff semi-final on Thursday evening.
Nigeria qualified for the mini-tournament as one of the best runners-up in the main qualifying series.
Eric Chelle’s men finished behind South Africa who grabbed the automatic ticket from Group C.
