Hakimi leads Moroccan trio on African player award shortlist as Salah misses out
Achraf Hakimi is seeking a second consecutive African Footballer of the Year award, with Morocco strongly represented among nominees and Cameroon prominent in the women’s categories.
By Hassan Ellis ·
Defending African Footballer of the Year Achraf Hakimi is among three Moroccan contenders for the award on December 2, while two-time winner Mohamed Salah has been left out. Morocco captain Hakimi, Brahim Diaz and Ismael Saibari feature on the 10-player shortlist announced last week by the Confederation of African Football.
Their nominations follow a disputed Africa Cup of Nations triumph in January. Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 after extra time in the final, but Morocco were later given the title following Senegal’s walk-off over a contested penalty. A ruling on Senegal’s appeal against losing the championship is expected at the end of November. Morocco also reached the World Cup quarterfinals, with Saibari leading their scoring with three goals and Hakimi contributing one.
The Moroccan nominees also enjoyed success at club level. Hakimi helped Paris Saint-Germain win a second successive Champions League title, while Diaz continued to contribute at Real Madrid. Saibari impressed at Bayern Munich following a summer transfer costing 50 million euros ($56m). Hakimi’s 2025 award made him the first Moroccan winner since 1998 and the first defender to receive the honour since 1973.
Hakimi finished ahead of Salah and Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, the 2023 winner, last year. Salah, formerly of Liverpool and now playing for Trabzonspor in Turkey, won in 2017 and 2018. His omission is notable given his standing among Africa’s leading players. Sadio Mane, who won the next two editions after Salah, is nominated alongside Senegal teammates Ismaila Sarr and Pape Gueye. The remaining contenders are Ivory Coast’s Amad Diallo, DR Congo’s Yoane Wissa, Ghana’s Antoine Semenyo and South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena.
World Cup performances also feature prominently in the coaching nominations. Egypt’s Hossam Hassan and DR Congo’s Sebastien Desabre guided their teams to historic round-of-16 appearances. Hassan was subsequently dismissed over a marital scandal. Morocco’s Mohamed Ouahbi, who coached at the tournament, and Walid Regragui, who oversaw qualification, are also nominated. Cabo Verde coach Pedro Leitao Brito earned a place after taking the island nation to its first World Cup.
Vonzinha’s World Cup displays earned him international attention and a place among the 10 goalkeeper nominees. Egypt’s El-Mahdi Soliman and Mostafa Shobeir are also listed, while Morocco’s Yassine Bonou is a leading candidate following his performances at the World Cup and AFCON.
The young player nominations include Ghana midfielder Caleb Yirenky, whose stoppage-time goal secured an opening World Cup victory over Panama. Morocco’s Ayoub Bouaddi emerged as a defensive midfield talent and became the first African teenager to play in five World Cup matches. Manchester City signed him in August. Fellow Moroccan Abdellah Ouazane also features.
Cameroon’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations victory brought strong representation across the women’s award categories. Midfielder Monique Ngock, 22, was the tournament’s best player, and Michaely Bihina its best goalkeeper. Marie Ngah Manga scored twice in the 3-0 final win against Malawi, bringing her total to five, level with Zambia’s Barbra Banda and Malawi’s Temwa Chawinga.
Manga, Banda, the 2024 women’s award winner, and Chawinga are shortlisted alongside Chawinga’s sister Tabitha. South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana is another leading contender after four WAFCON goals. Bihina and Malawi’s Mercy Sikelo stand out among the goalkeeper nominees. The young player category includes Cameroon defender Maeva Nyadjou and Malawi’s Rose Kadzere, who scored in the quarterfinal win over Ghana that secured a semifinal place and helped deliver women’s World Cup qualification.
