Daijiworld Media Network - Paris

Paris, Nov 20: Rabat witnessed a landmark moment on Wednesday as Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi was crowned African Footballer of the Year at the 2025 CAF Awards, becoming the first defender in more than five decades to claim the continent’s highest individual honour. The Moroccan full-back edged past global icons Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen after a spectacular season with PSG that saw him lift the Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France and UEFA Super Cup.

Hakimi’s triumph marks Morocco’s return to the top of African football’s elite individual awards for the first time since Mustapha Hadji achieved the feat in 1998. His win also ends a 52-year wait for a defender to be recognised, the last being Zaire’s Bwanga Tshimen in 1973.

An emotional Hakimi dedicated the award to dreamers across Africa, expressing gratitude to those who supported him from childhood and helped shape his journey to the international stage.

Morocco’s dominance at the ceremony extended beyond Hakimi’s victory, with Ghizlane Chebbak being named Women’s Footballer of the Year and Al-Hilal’s Yassine Bounou securing the Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year award. Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie continued her remarkable run by winning the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year title for the third consecutive time following her move to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Cape Verde celebrated a historic milestone as coach Bubista was honoured with the Coach of the Year award after guiding the island nation to its first-ever World Cup appearance, scheduled to be held next year in the United States, Mexico and Canada.