The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially named its final three nominees for the highly coveted 2025 Men’s Player of the Year award: Achraf Hakimi of Morocco, Mohamed Salah of Egypt, and Victor Osimhen of Nigeria.
The announcement sets the stage for the prestigious awards ceremony, which is scheduled to take place on November 19th in Rabat, Morocco.
The shortlist features three players who have delivered exceptional statistical performances and achieved significant success with their respective clubs and national teams over the past year.
▌The Finalists’ Achievements
Achraf Hakimi, the Moroccan international and Paris Saint-Germain defender, enters the final three following a dominant season where he recorded seven goals and 11 assists, playing a crucial role in PSG’s Ligue 1 triumph. He was also a key figure in Morocco’s successful World Cup qualifying efforts.
Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian forward for Liverpool, maintains his consistent presence among the continent’s elite. He tallied an impressive 25 Premier League goals, driving Liverpool’s push in the Champions League and leading the line for the Egyptian national team.
Victor Osimhen, the Nigerian striker, secured his spot after a prolific season with Galatasaray, where his 26 goals were instrumental in securing the Turkish Super Lig title. Osimhen also anchored Nigeria’s attack throughout their challenging World Cup playoff campaign.
▌Fan Debate and Notable Snubs
The announcement immediately sparked robust discussion across social media platforms, with fans meticulously debating the merits of each player’s achievements and team success.
While the final trio is widely regarded as deserving, the conversation has also focused on those who missed the cut. Notably, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, who had a sensational goal-scoring run in the Bundesliga, has been frequently mentioned by fans who believe his performance warranted inclusion in the final three.
The CAF Player of the Year award recognizes the best African footballer over the preceding year, and the November 19th ceremony promises to be a highlight of the continental football calendar.
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