By Emmanuel Olagunju
Moroccan star and Paris Saint-Germain full-back, Achraf Hakimi has been named the 2025 CAF African Player of the Year .
The award, presented during a colourful ceremony on Wednesday in Accra, Ghana, places Hakimi among an elite class of footballers who have redefined their positions on the continent.
His victory breaks a long-standing pattern dominated by attacking players, making him the first defender in more than ten years to claim Africa’s most prestigious individual football honour.
Hakimi’s consistent brilliance for both club and country coupled with his leadership, versatility, and impact in major competitions ultimately tipped the scales in his favour as he outshined other top contenders , Victor Osimhen and Mohammed Salah .
