CAF Player of the Year: Osimhen battles Hakimi, Salah to dethrone Ademola Lookman

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially revealed the top three nominees in each of the Men’s categories for the highly anticipated African Footballer of the Year award.

The prestigious event is scheduled to take place in Rabat, Morocco, on 19 November 2025, celebrating the outstanding performances and achievements that have defined African football over the past year.

It has been an outstanding year for African footballers around the globe, and the long list has been cut down to three superstars.

Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool), Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/Paris Saint-Germain), and Victor Osimhen (Nigeria/Galatasaray) will compete for the award, with another Nigerian, Ademola Lookman, the reigning CAF Player of the Year, set to be dethroned.

Achraf Hakimi was hugely influential as PSG won the treble and Mohamed Salah won the Premier League Golden Boot, helping Liverpool to the Premier League title.

Victor Osimhen came into his own after enduring a turbulent summer to lead Galatasaray to a domestic double, scoring 37 goals in 41 games.