Hakimi, Salah lead 2025 African Player of the Year shortlist
Achraf Hakimi and Mohamed Salah lead the contenders on the 10-man shortlist for the 2025 African Footballer of the Year Award.
Morocco right-back Hakimi helped his club side Paris Saint-Germain to a domestic league and cup double as well as the Champions League trophy last season, while Salah won the Premier League Golden Boot as Liverpool reclaimed the title.
Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Pape Matar Sarr, who both helped Senegal qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, are included alongside Galatasaray and Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, the 2023 winner.
Cameroon midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, DR Congo striker Fiston Mayele, Gabon forward Denis Bouanga, Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy and Moroccan midfielder Oussama Lamlioui complete the list of nominees.
Salah scooped the award in 2017 and 2018, while Hakimi finished as runner-up in the past two years.
Last year’s winner, Ademola Lookman, misses out on the shortlist, with a panel of experts appointed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) nominating players, coaches and teams that made a significant impact between 6 January and 15 October this year.
Cape Verde boss Bubista is nominated for Men’s Coach of the Year after leading the Blue Sharks to a historic first-ever qualification for the World Cup. The Atlantic Ocean islanders are also in the running for Men’s National Team of the Year alongside Morocco, who recently won the Under-20 World Cup.
Nigeria pair Esther Okoronkwo and Rasheedat Ajibade are among the nominees for the Women’s Player of the Year award, which was announced last week.
CAF is yet to announce a date for the awards ceremony.
