Osimhen, Salah, Hakimi Lead Race For CAF Player Of The Year Award

Nigeria’s Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has been shortlisted for the 2025 CAF Player of the Year award.

He will compete against Egyptian and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain.

Other nominees include Cameroon’s Frank Anguissa, Congo’s Fiston Mayele, Gabon’s Denis Bouanga, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, Morocco’s Oussama Lamlioui, and Senegalese players Iliman Ndiaye and Pape Matar Sarr.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) released the full list of nominees for the 2025 CAF Awards (Men’s Categories) on Thursday.

The annual awards recognize outstanding performances by players, coaches, clubs, and national teams across the continent.

According to CAF, “The impact of players and coaches on the African and global game has been immense for the period under consideration of 6 January to 15 October 2025, and these nominations reflect those who have made major contributions to football on the continent.”

CAF explained that the shortlist was drawn up by a panel of experts made up of members of its Technical and Development Committee, experienced coaches, former football legends, and select media representatives.

Each category features ten nominees based on performance in all competitions.

Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, also earned a nomination for Goalkeeper of the Year.

He will compete with Morocco’s Yassine Bonou, South Africa’s Ronwen Williams, Cameroon’s Andre Onana, and Senegal’s Edouard Mendy for the title.

Other categories include Interclub Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Young Player of the Year, National Team of the Year, and Club of the Year.

KanyiDaily also reported that Super Falcons stars Rasheedat Ajibade and Esther Okoronkwo were nominated for the 2025 CAF Women’s Player of the Year Award.