…Nigeria, Morocco Claim National Team Honours
Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi has been named African men’s player of the year, following a remarkable campaign in which he won the UEFA Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain.
The 27-year-old right-back claimed the honour for the first time on Wednesday, defeating Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, both previous recipients of the award.
Hakimi’s trophy cabinet expanded considerably last season with his fourth Ligue 1 title, the French Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup.
However, PSG finished as runners-up in the Club World Cup final in New York. The defender thanked his family, teammates, and Morocco manager Walid Regragui after receiving the award, calling it a prestigious honour.
Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie claimed her third consecutive women’s goalkeeper of the year award, cementing her status among the continent’s elite shot-stoppers.
The achievement marks an exceptional run of recognition for the young goalkeeper, who continues to impress at club and international level.
Morocco dominated the ceremony, with Ghizlane Chebbak winning best women’s player following her leading goal-scoring performance at the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations.
Yassine Bounou took the men’s goalkeeper award, whilst the Moroccan under-20 World Cup winners were named best men’s national team.
Watford midfielder Othmane Maamma, 20, and Doha El Madani collected the best young player prizes in their respective categories.
Cape Verde manager Bubista earned men’s coach of the year after guiding the island nation of 525,000 people to qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Hakimi will hope to recover from a severely sprained ankle in time to lead Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations, which begins on December 21, with the hosts seeking their first title since 1976.
Also, Nigeria’s women’s football team and Morocco’s men’s under-20 side received the CAF National Team of the Year awards at Wednesday’s ceremony in Rabat.
The Super Falcons triumphed over Ghana and Morocco to claim their honour following an outstanding 2025 campaign.
The Nigerian women completed their Mission X objective by capturing a 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations crown in Morocco during July.
Their tournament performance saw them win five matches and draw one across six fixtures.
The final against host nation Morocco ended 3-2 in Nigeria’s favour, delivering the continental trophy for a record 10th occasion.
Morocco’s under-20 squad celebrated a historic year after winning the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
The Young Atlas Lions finished second at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt during May, losing to South Africa in the final but earning qualification for the global tournament in Chile.
The Moroccan youngsters recorded two victories and one defeat in their group stage matches before progressing to the knockout rounds.
Victories over South Korea and the United States set up a semi-final encounter with France, which Morocco won on penalties. The final saw them defeat Argentina 2-0, overcoming the six-time champions to claim the title.
Morocco’s triumph marked the first time an African nation has won the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Both teams’ achievements in 2025 earned them recognition at the continental awards ceremony, cementing their status amongst Africa’s finest football sides.
