The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released the final shortlist for the 2025 African Player of the Year award, featuring Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi among the top contenders.
Others on the ten-man list include Frank Anguissa (Cameroon), Fiston Mayele (DR Congo), Denis Bouanga (Gabon), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea), Oussama Lamlouki (Morocco), Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal), and Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal).
The shortlist recognises the most outstanding African performers across Europe and beyond during the 2024–2025 football season.
Osimhen, who scored 37 goals and provided seven assists in 41 matches while helping his club secure two trophies, is considered one of the leading favourites. Salah, with 34 goals and 23 assists in 52 appearances, remains a strong contender after guiding Liverpool to multiple titles. Hakimi, who registered nine goals and 12 assists in 48 matches and won four trophies with Paris Saint-Germain, also bolsters his claim for the honour.
According to CAF, the winner will be selected through votes from its technical committee, African football legends, journalists, as well as national team coaches and captains.
The 2025 CAF Awards ceremony will honour the continent’s finest talents in both men’s and women’s football categories, with the host venue to be announced soon.
