CAF AWARDS
All the winners at 2024 CAF Awards in Marrakech, Morocco
Nigeria forward Ademola Lookman, Zambia striker Barbra Banda and South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams were the big winners at a star-studded 2024 CAF Awards in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday as Africa’s best performers for the year were honoured.
The glittering ceremony was attended by football royalty from the continent and beyond in a celebration of the incredible growth and development of the game in Africa, and the astonishing strides that have been made in men’s and women’s football in recent years.
Lookman was named CAF Men’s Player of the Year after a sensational 12 months with Italian side Atalanta and the Nigeria’s Super Eagles follows in the footsteps of compatriot Victor Osimhen, who claimed the award in 2023.
It is the first time Nigeria has had back-to-back winners in the Men’s award since Nwankwo Kanu (1996) and Victor Ikpeba (1997) were honoured almost three decades ago.
Banda took the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League season in the United States by storm as she helped Orlando Pride to the NWSL Shield and Championship, scoring the decisive goal in the final against Washington Spirit.
Her hat trick for Zambia at the Paris Olympics 2024 was her third in Olympic Games football, a record in the competition, elevating her to among the greats to have played the game.
Banda became the first player from Africa to be included in the FIFPRO Women’s World 11 in 2024.
Williamswas the only double winner on the night, collecting the Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year and Men’s Interclub Player of the Year awards.
His spectacular penalty saves at the Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 will live long in the memory, including four in the quarter-final shootout win against Cape Verde as he captained South Africa to the bronze medal.
The 32-year-old helped his club Mamelodi Sundowns set a joint record low of just 11 goals conceded in 30 games in the South African Premiership as they eased to a seventh domestic league title in succession.
Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie claimed the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award for the second year in a row having had another outstanding season for French side Paris FC, where she was named Première Ligue Goalkeeper of the Season for 2023-24.
AS FAR and Morocco international forward Sanaâ Mssoudy won the Women’s Interclub Player of the Year having claimed the Best Player award at the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League.
Lamine Camara of Senegal and Monaco was the Men’s Young Player of the Year as the versatile box-to-box midfielder shone for club and country with his dynamic displays.
Doha El Madani of AS FAR and Morocco won the Women’s Young Player of the Year as the 19-year-old secured the Golden Boot at the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League with six goals in five matches.
The Men’s Coach of the Year went to Emerse Fae after he led Cote d’Ivoire from the brink of elimination to the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations title on home soil in one of the great global sports stories of 2024.
Moroccan tactician Lamia Boumehdi was named Women’s Coach of the Year as she led TP Mazembe from the DR Congo to the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League title with a win over AS FAR in the decider.
Cote d’Ivoire’s continental crown saw them named Men’s National Team of the Year, while Nigeria’s Super Falcons were the Women’s National Team of the Year.
Al Ahly’s fourth CAF Champions League win in five years made them worthy winners of Men’s Club of the Year, while TP Mazembe took home the Women’s Club of the Year.
Goal of the Year was won by Angola’s Mabululu for his audacious finish against Namibia at the continental finals in Cote d’Ivoire. This was the only award voted for by fans.
In line with the commitment of CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe at last year’s event, match officials were also honoured at the 2024 CAF Awards, Mutaz Ibrahim of Libya was named Men’s Referee of the Year, while Morocco’s Bouchra Karboubi was Women’s Referee of the Year.
Elvis Guy Noupue Nguegoue of Cameroon was awarded Men’s Assistant Referee of the Year and Zambia’s Diana Chikotesha the Women’s Assistant Referee of the Year.
The Men’s CAF-FIFPRO Africa Best XIfor Men and women were also named and honoured the top performers from the continent in each position.
2024 CAF AWARDS WINNERS
CAF PLAYER OF THE YEAR (MEN)
Ademola Lookman (Nigeria / Atalanta)
CAF PLAYER OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)
Barbra Banda (Zambia / Orlando Pride)
CAF GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR (MEN)
Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)
CAF GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria / Paris FC)
CAF INTERCLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR (MEN)
Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)
CAF INTERCLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)
Sanaâ Mssoudy (Morocco / AS FAR)
CAF YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR (MEN)
Lamine Camara (Senegal / AS Monaco)
CAF YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)
Doha El Madani (Morocco / AS FAR)
CAF COACH OF THE YEAR (MEN)
Emerse Fae (Cote d’Ivoire)
CAF COACH OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)
Lamia Boumehdi (TP Mazembe)
CAF NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR (MEN)
Cote d’Ivoire
CAF NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)
Nigeria
CAF CLUB OF THE YEAR (MEN)
Al Ahly (Egypt)
CAF CLUB OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)
TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
CAF REFEREE OF THE YEAR (MEN)
Mutaz Ibrahim (Libya)
CAF REFEREE OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)
Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco)
CAF ASSISTANT REFEREE OF THE YEAR (MEN)
Elvis Guy Noupue Nguegoue (Cameroon)
CAF ASSISTANT REFEREE OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)
Diana Chikotesha (Zambia)
CAF GOAL OF THE YEAR
Mabululu (Angola)
Moroccan international and national team captain Achraf Hakimi has been crowned African Footballer of the Year at the 2025 CAF Awards held on Wednesday in Rabat, becoming the first defender in 52 years to win the continent’s most prestigious individual honour.
Hakimi, who plays as a right-back for Paris Saint-Germain, finished ahead of Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen in the final voting. His triumph marks a historic moment for Moroccan football, making him the first player from the North African nation to win the award since Mustapha Hadji in 1998, and the first defender to be recognised since Zaire centre-back Bwanga Tshimen in 1973.
The 2025 season was one of the best of Hakimi’s career, with the 26-year-old enjoying a trophy-filled year at PSG. He played a key role in the club’s successes across four competitions — the UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France and the UEFA Super Cup — achievements that strengthened his case as Africa’s standout footballer.
“It is really a proud moment for me to win this prestigious award,” Hakimi said during his acceptance speech. “This trophy is not just for me, but for all the strong men and women who have dreams of being a footballer in Africa. And for those that always believed in me since I was a child… I would like to thank them all.”
Morocco Dominates the Night
Hakimi’s win headlined a night in which Morocco asserted its growing influence in African football by sweeping several major categories.
Saudi-based forward Ghizlane Chebbak was named Women’s Footballer of the Year, adding to her growing list of accolades as one of the continent’s most consistent players.
In the men’s category, Yassine Bounou, the Al-Hilal and Atlas Lions goalkeeper, was crowned Goalkeeper of the Year, further underlining Morocco’s remarkable depth across both men’s and women’s football.
Nigeria’s Nnadozie Extends Her Reign
Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie claimed the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award for the third consecutive time, continuing her dominance since the category’s introduction in 2023. The 24-year-old, who recently sealed a transfer to Brighton & Hove Albion in the English Women’s Super League, remains one of Africa’s most formidable goalkeepers.
Cape Verde Earns Historic Recognition
The Coach of the Year award went to Cape Verde’s Bubista, who guided the island nation to a milestone achievement — their first-ever qualification for the FIFA World Cup, set for 2026 in the United States, Mexico and Canada. His win marks a significant moment for Cape Verdean football, symbolising the continent’s growing diversity at the highest level of competition.
The 2025 CAF Awards showcased not only individual brilliance but also the rising competitive strength across African football, with Morocco emerging as the night’s biggest winner.
All the Winners
African Player of the Year: Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain) – Winner
Goalkeeper of the Year: Yassine Bounou (Morocco / Al Hilal) – Winner
Interclub Player of the Year: Fiston Mayele (DR Congo / Pyramids) – Winner
Men’s Coach of the Year: Bubista (Cape Verde) – Winner
Young African Player of the Year: Othmane Maamma (Morocco / Watford) – Winner
Men’s National Team of the Year: Morocco U-20 – Winner
Men’s Club of the Year: Pyramids FC – Winner
African Women’s Player of the Year: Ghizlaine Chebbak (Morocco / Al Hilal) – Winner
African Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria / Brighton & Hove Albion) – Winner.
Young African Women’s Player of the Year: Doha El Madani (Morocco / AS FAR) – Winner
Women’s National Team: Nigeria – Winner
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Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie has cemented her status as Africa’s top shot-stopper after winning the Goalkeeper of the Year award for the third consecutive time at the CAF Awards 2025 held on Wednesday in Rabat, Morocco.
The accolade, presented at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, extends Nnadozie’s dominance in a category introduced only in 2023 — and one she has ruled unchallenged since its inception.
Nnadozie’s latest honour comes on the back of a remarkable year for both club and country. She played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s historic 10th Africa Women’s Cup of Nations triumph on July 26 at the Rabat Olympic Stadium, where she was named Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament and earned a place in the Team of the Tournament.
Her rising global profile was further underscored earlier in the year when she finished 5th in the inaugural Yashin Trophy for women at the France Football Ballon d’Or 2025 ceremony — the highest-ever placement by an African goalkeeper.
With this latest CAF crown, the 24-year-old continues to strengthen her reputation as a continental and global benchmark in women’s goalkeeping.
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By Kunle Solaja.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) will honour the continent’s brightest football stars this Wednesday, as the prestigious CAF Awards return to Morocco.
The ceremony, scheduled for 19h00 local time (18h00 GMT), will be held at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Rabat.
Created to recognise excellence in African football, the CAF Awards spotlight both individual brilliance and collective achievement across male and female categories. The event celebrates players, coaches, clubs, national teams, and emerging talents who have made a significant impact over the past year.
This year’s ceremony will be co-hosted by Beninese music icon Angélique Kidjo and Moroccan comedian Oualass, adding a blend of continental artistry and humour to the gala.
Guests will also enjoy performances by Moroccan singer Douaa Lahyaoui, Congolese legend Awilo Longomba, and Ghanaian Afrobeats star Fuse ODG.
A total of 12 categories will be presented on the night, including the headline honours of African Player of the Year and African Women’s Player of the Year.
However, due to the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions League in Egypt, the winners for Women’s Coach of the Year, Women’s Interclub Player of the Year, and Women’s Club of the Year will be announced at a later date.
CAF has also unveiled the top three nominees across several categories:
Men’s Categories
African Player of the Year:
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/PSG), Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool), Victor Osimhen (Nigeria/Galatasaray)
Goalkeeper of the Year:
Yassine Bounou (Morocco/Al Hilal), Munir Mohamedi (Morocco/RS Berkane), Ronwen Williams (South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns)
Interclub Player of the Year:
Mohamed Chibi (Morocco/Pyramids), Oussama Lamlioui (Morocco/RS Berkane), Fiston Mayele (DR Congo/Pyramids)
Men’s Coach of the Year:
Bubista (Cape Verde), Mohamed Ouahbi (Morocco U-20), Walid Regragui (Morocco)
Young Player of the Year:
Othmane Maamma (Morocco/Watford), Abdellah Ouazane (Morocco/Ajax), Tylon Smith (South Africa/QPR)
Men’s National Team of the Year:
Cape Verde, Morocco, Morocco U-20
Men’s Club of the Year:
Mamelodi Sundowns, Pyramids, RS Berkane
Women’s Categories
African Women’s Player of the Year:
Rasheedat Ajibade (Nigeria/PSG), Ghizlaine Chebbak (Morocco/Al Hilal), Sanaa Mssoudy (Morocco/AS FAR)
Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year:
Andile Dlamini (South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns), Khadija Er-Rmichi (Morocco/AS FAR), Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria/Brighton)
Young Women’s Player of the Year:
Shakirat Abidemi Moshood (Nigeria/Bayelsa Queens), Doha El Madani (Morocco/AS FAR), Adji Ndiaye (Senegal/AS Bambey)
Women’s National Team:
Ghana, Morocco, Nigeria
With Morocco heavily represented across numerous categories and hosting the ceremony for another year, anticipation is high as the continent awaits the crowning of Africa’s football royalty.
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