The Stars Came to Shine at CAF Awards 2025

In Summary

• The CAF Awards 2025 saw Morocco leading the night by winning six major awards, including Achraf Hakimi and Ghizlane Chebbak as Players of the Year.
• The event combined sport with culture, featuring performances by Moroccan singer Douaa Lahyaoui, Congolese icon Awilo Longomba, and Anglo-Ghanaian Afrobeats star Fuse ODG.
• Hosting duties were handled by Grammy winner Angélique Kidjo and Moroccan comedian Oualas, highlighting the evening’s blend of football excellence and African cultural flair.

Deep Dive!!

Thursday, 20 November, 2025– The CAF Awards 2025, held in Rabat on November 19, blended football excellence with music, style, and star power, creating a celebration that felt both like a sports ceremony and a cultural festival. Players, coaches, and legends from across Africa gathered in Morocco to honor the continent’s top football talent, with the host nation emerging as the standout winner, claiming six major awards. Moroccan stars Achraf Hakimi and Ghizlane Chebbak were crowned Men’s and Women’s Players of the Year, marking a memorable double triumph for the hosts.

Beyond the trophies, the evening celebrated Africa’s cultural vibrancy. Rising Moroccan singer Douaa Lahyaoui, Congolese soukous icon Awilo Longomba, and Anglo-Ghanaian Afrobeats star Fuse ODG delivered electrifying performances that highlighted the continent’s rich musical heritage. The ceremony was hosted by five-time Grammy winner Angélique Kidjo and Moroccan comedian Oualas, adding flair and charisma to a night that honored African football at its finest while showcasing the continent’s artistic soul.

Below, we take a deep dive into the award categories and the deserving winners. Enjoy!

Player of the Year (Men): Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / PSG)

The Men’s Player of the Year award is the most prestigious individual honor in African football, celebrating the athlete whose skill, consistency, and influence have shone brightest on both the club and international stages over the past year.

This year, the accolade was deservedly claimed by Achraf Hakimi, the dynamic Moroccan full-back whose electrifying pace and offensive prowess have redefined his position. Hakimi’s year was marked by breathtaking performances, where he was not just a defensive rock but a relentless attacking force, delivering crucial goals and assists that cemented his status as a global superstar and a proud standard-bearer for African football, dethroning the currently under-performing Nigeria's Ademola Lukemon who won the award in 2024.

Player of the Year (Women): Ghizlane Chebbak (Morocco / Al Hilal)

The Women’s Player of the Year award honors the phenomenal talent and leadership displayed by Africa's top female footballers, recognizing their technical mastery and impact on the game's growth. In 2025, this honour went to the inspirational Ghizlane Chebbak, the Moroccan captain and midfield maestro. Chebbak has been the heart and soul of her national team, orchestrating play with visionary passing, scoring crucial goals, and embodying the rising dominance of North African women's football. Her leadership both on and off the pitch has made her a role model for a generation, and this award is a fitting tribute to her enduring class and influence.

Goalkeeper of the Year (Men): Yassine Bounou (Morocco / Al Hilal)

The Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year award celebrates the last line of defense, the shot-stopper whose heroics between the posts have proven decisive for his teams. The winner, Yassine "Bono" Bounou, continues to exemplify calmness and elite reflexes under pressure. The Moroccan international enjoyed another stellar year, pulling off seemingly impossible saves and commanding his penalty area with an authority that secured vital victories for both club and country, solidifying his reputation as one of the world's most reliable and celebrated goalkeepers.

Goalkeeper of the Year (Women): Chiamaka Nnadozie [Nigeria]

The Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award acknowledges the incredible agility and bravery of the women guarding the nets, whose performances often spell the difference between victory and defeat. Chiamaka Nnadozie of Nigeria was the clear standout in 2025. Nnadozie captivated audiences with a series of commanding displays, including heroic penalty saves and acrobatic denials that showcased her world-class talent. Her confidence and shot-stopping ability have made her the bedrock of the Nigerian defense and a key figure in the global women's game.

Youth Player of the Year (Men): Othmane Maamma (Morocco / Watford)

This award shines a spotlight on the most exciting under-20 male talent in Africa, a player destined for future stardom. The 2025 winner, Othmane Maamma, is a dazzling young attacker who has taken the youth football scene by storm. With a blend of technical flair, explosive speed, and a keen eye for goal, Maamma has demonstrated a maturity beyond his years, thrilling fans and analysts alike and marking himself as a future cornerstone for both his club and the Moroccan national team.

Women’s Youth Player of the Year: Doha El Madani (Morocco / AS FAR)

Celebrating the next generation of female footballing stars, this award goes to an under-20 player who has exhibited exceptional potential and performance. The winner, Doha El Madani, announced herself as a prodigious talent with a series of breathtaking performances. Her skillful dribbling, creative vision, and composure in front of goal have not only won her this prestigious award but have also signaled the arrival of a major new talent in African women's football.

Interclub Player of the Year: Ibrahim Mayele (DR Congo / Pyramids)

The Interclub Player of the Year award recognizes the most outstanding performer in CAF's continental club competitions, such as the Champions League and Confederation Cup. Ibrahim Mayele earned this honor through a campaign of sheer dominance, terrorizing defenses with his physicality and clinical finishing. His crucial goals were instrumental in driving his club deep into continental competition, making him the undisputed standout player on the African club stage this year.

Coach of the Year (Men): Bubista (Cape Verde)

The Men’s Coach of the Year award is given to the tactical mastermind who has achieved remarkable success and implemented a transformative vision. The 2025 winner, Bubista, guided the Cape Verde national team to unprecedented heights. With a well-drilled, cohesive unit that punched above its weight, Bubista’s strategic acumen and ability to inspire his players led to historic results, captivating the continent and earning him widespread acclaim.

Club of the Year (Men): Pyramids FC (Egypt)

This award celebrates the most successful and consistently impressive men's football club on the African continent over the past season. Pyramids FC claimed the title after a magnificent campaign across all fronts. Their blend of attractive, attacking football and resilient defending saw them conquer domestic competitions and make a deep, statement-making run in CAF tournaments, establishing the Egyptian club as a new powerhouse in African football.

Team of the Year (Men): Morocco National Under-20 Football Team

This category honors a specific national or club team for a singular, outstanding achievement. The Morocco National Under-20 Football Team was rightly honored for capturing the hearts of the continent with their spectacular triumph at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations. Playing with a fearless and stylish brand of football, this talented group of youngsters announced the arrival of Morocco’s next golden generation, showcasing the country's profound depth of talent.

Team of the Year (Women): Nigeria Women’s National Football Team

Awarded for a magnificent collective achievement, the Women’s Team of the Year went to the Nigeria Women’s National Football Team. The Super Falcons were recognized for their resilience, skill, and unity in securing a major continental trophy. Led by a mix of experienced veterans and exciting new talents, the team displayed incredible character and quality throughout the tournament, reaffirming Nigeria's status as a dominant force in African women's football.

Goal of the Year: Clement Mizize (Tanzania/Young Africans FC)

The Goal of the Year award celebrates the single most spectacular, technically brilliant, or audacious strike that left fans in awe. The 2025 winner was a breathtaking long-range effort from Clement Mizize. In a moment of pure individual genius, the 21-tear-old unleashed an unstoppable thunderbolt from distance that arced perfectly into the net, a goal that combined power, precision, and timing to create an instant classic that will be replayed for years to come.

Referee of the Year (Men): Omar Abdulkadir Artan (Somalia)

This award acknowledges excellence, fairness, and composure in the demanding profession of men's football refereeing. Omar Abdulkadir Artan was named the winner for his impeccable officiating throughout the year. His authoritative control of matches, precise decision-making, and calm demeanor under pressure in high-stakes games earned him the respect of players, coaches, and fans alike.

Referee of the Year (Women): Liban Abdulrazack (Djibouti )

Honoring the top official in women's football, this award went to Liban Abdulrazack for her outstanding contributions as a referee. Her deep understanding of the game, fitness, and unwavering consistency in applying the laws of the game at the highest level made her a trusted presence on the pitch and a trailblazer for women in sports officiating.

CAF Assistant Referee of the Year (Men): Liban Abdulrazack (Djibouti )

This award specifically recognizes the crucial role of the assistant referee in men's football, whose split-second offside and in-play decisions are vital. In a remarkable double, Liban Abdulrazack also won this category, a testament to her exceptional versatility and elite standard of performance across different officiating roles on the football field.

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