As the CAF Awards 2025 ceremony approaches, set to take place on November 19 in Rabat starting at 19:00 (18:00 GMT), the African Football Confederation has unveiled the finalists in each category. This edition once again stands out for the significant presence of Moroccan football, both in the men’s and women’s categories.
In the flagship category of African Player of the Year, Achraf Hakimi, who has had a season full of consistency and leadership at Paris Saint-Germain, is among the top three. The Moroccan full-back will compete against two heavyweights from the continent: Mohamed Salah, who remains decisive with Liverpool, and Victor Osimhen, who continues to rise under the colors of Galatasaray.
Moroccan dominance is also confirmed in goalkeeping, where Yassine Bounou, indispensable at Al Hilal, and Mounir Mohamedi, solid with RS Berkane, are among the three best goalkeepers nominated. The two Moroccan keepers are joined by South African Ronwen Williams.
In club competitions, Morocco also places two representatives among the finalists. The excellent performances of Mohamed Chibi with Pyramids FC and those of Oussama Lamlioui with Berkane earn them a spot in the final trio for the Club Player of the Year title, alongside Congolese Fiston Mayele.
Moroccan coaches are also honored. Mohamed Ouahbi, who guided the U17 team, and Walid Regragui, still a central figure in national football, are in the top three nominated coaches, alongside Cape Verdean coach Budista.
The Moroccan youth is also represented, as Othmane Maamma, impressive with Watford, and Abdellah Ouazane, who continues his rise at Ajax, are finalists for the Young Player of the Year title and will compete against South African Tylon Smith.
On a collective level, Morocco places two teams among those nominated for the Men’s Team of the Year award: the A national team and the U20 team, recognized for their consistency and results on the continental stage. RS Berkane, a finalist and regular in African competitions, will compete for the African Club of the Year title against Pyramids FC and Mamelodi Sundowns.
In the women’s category, Moroccan representation is equally significant. For the title of African Goalkeeper of the Year, Khadija Er-Rmichi, a true reference at AS FAR and multiple African champion, is naturally among the three finalists after another remarkable season under the military club’s colors.
The African Player of the Year category also highlights Morocco. Ghizlane Chebbak, now playing for Al Hilal and still one of the major figures in Moroccan women’s football, is a finalist, along with Sanaâ Mssoudy, a forward for AS FAR and a key contributor to the club’s recent successes. The two Lionesses will face Nigerian international Rasheedat Ajibade, now a player for Paris Saint-Germain.
