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The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has unveiled the top three finalists across all men’s categories for the prestigious CAF Awards 2025. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on 19 November 2025 in Rabat, Morocco, and will honour the standout performers who shaped African football during the eligible period between 6 January and 15 October 2025.
News Week Nigeria reports that the shortlist features some of the most influential and accomplished names in African and global football, reflecting a year defined by exceptional displays at club and national team levels. The CAF Awards remain one of the continent’s most respected football recognitions, celebrating excellence, consistency, and impact across multiple categories.
CAF confirmed that seven major men’s categories will be decided this year: Player of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, Interclub Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Young Player of the Year, National Team of the Year, and Club of the Year. Each category contains the three leading nominees who demonstrated the highest levels of performance during the assessment window.
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Below is the full list of finalists released by CAF:
CAF Player of the Year 2025 — Final Three
The Men’s Player of the Year category features three of the continent’s most consistent and influential professionals:
- Mohamed Salah (Egypt / Liverpool)
- Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain)
- Victor Osimhen (Nigeria / Galatasaray)
These finalists have been recognised for their technical excellence, leadership, and sustained performance at both club and national levels. Salah’s consistency in England, Hakimi’s dominance in Europe, and Osimhen’s headline-making displays in Turkey contributed significantly to their nominations.
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CAF’s assessment of this category hinges on measurable impact, club achievements, national team contributions, and overall influence within the eligible period.
Goalkeeper of the Year — Final Three
CAF selected three goalkeepers who demonstrated unrivaled composure, shot-stopping ability, and match-winning performances:
- Munir Mohamedi (Morocco / RS Berkane)
- Yassine Bonou (Morocco / Al Hilal)
- Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)
The category highlights keepers who delivered exceptional performances in continental competitions, club leagues, and international fixtures.
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Interclub Player of the Year — Final Three
This category focuses on players who excelled in CAF interclub competitions such as the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup:
- Fiston Mayele (DR Congo / Pyramids)
- Mohamed Chibi (Morocco / Pyramids)
- Oussama Lamlioui (Morocco / RS Berkane)
The finalists were selected for their match-defining contributions, consistency across competitions, and influence in high-pressure games.
Coach of the Year — Final Three
Coaches who made strategic and tactical breakthroughs at club or national level were shortlisted:
- Bubista (Cape Verde)
- Mohamed Ouahbi (Morocco U-20)
- Walid Regragui (Morocco)
Their achievements reflect the technical growth of African football, with emphasis on competitive advancement, youth development, and historic qualification achievements.
Young Player of the Year — Final Three
CAF recognises emerging talents who showed exceptional potential and performance:
- Abdellah Ouazane (Morocco / Ajax)
- Othmane Maamma (Morocco / Watford)
- Tylon Smith (South Africa / Queens Park Rangers)
These nominees have displayed maturity beyond their years, rapid development, and increased responsibility at both club and international levels.
National Team of the Year — Final Three
CAF shortlisted national teams that excelled through consistency, strong tournament performances, and tactical discipline:
- Cape Verde
- Morocco
- Morocco U-20
These teams recorded notable achievements, created milestones in competitive appearances, and demonstrated a strong footballing identity throughout the year.
Club of the Year — Final Three
CAF highlighted three clubs whose achievements and performances made significant impact on the continental stage:
- Pyramids
- RS Berkane
- Mamelodi Sundowns
The clubs were recognised for their commitment to elite football standards, competitive accomplishments, squad development, and influence in continental tournaments.
CAF Awards 2025: What This Means for African Football
CAF Awards 2025 reinforces the growing global influence of African football. The event serves as a platform to honour excellence, showcase emerging talent, and celebrate achievements that strengthen the continent’s football narrative.
Key elements CAF evaluates include:
1. Performance Consistency
CAF emphasises achievements across both club and national assignments. This ensures that nominees reflect comprehensive excellence rather than isolated performances.
2. Impact in Major Competitions
The awards consider contributions in:
- CAF Champions League
- CAF Confederation Cup
- AFCON qualifiers
- Domestic leagues
- International fixtures
3. Influence and Leadership
Nominees are evaluated for leadership on and off the pitch, including:
- Match influence
- Tactical discipline
- Contribution to team success
- Professional character
4. Growth and Development
The Young Player of the Year and Coach of the Year categories highlight CAF’s continued effort to support the long-term development of African football.
Why the 2025 Final Lists Stand Out
The 2025 shortlist demonstrates several trends shaping modern African football:
A. Increased dominance of North and West Africa
Morocco and Nigeria feature prominently across categories, reinforcing their strong performance levels in recent years.
B. Rising influence of interclub competitions
Players from Pyramids, RS Berkane, and Sundowns underline the growing quality of African club football.
C. Youth development taking centre stage
The presence of several U-20 and U-23 players highlights the progress of youth systems across Africa.
D. Strong representation of African talent in European leagues
Nominees from major European clubs show the expanding global footprint of African players.
Key Highlights from the Finalists
Victor Osimhen
A prolific forward with decisive performances for Galatasaray, marked by goals, strength, and influence in major fixtures.
Mohamed Salah
A consistent attacking force for Liverpool, contributing goals, assists, and leadership in domestic and international competitions.
Achraf Hakimi
A world-class right-back with exceptional versatility, technical play, and strong involvement in Paris Saint-Germain’s campaigns.
Yassine Bonou
A reliable goalkeeper known for critical saves and composure, influencing Morocco’s strong international presence.
Ronwen Williams
Responsible for key performances in Mamelodi Sundowns’ domestic and continental matches.
Walid Regragui
Continues to position Morocco prominently in African football through tactical discipline and cohesive team management.
CAF Awards Ceremony 2025
The final winners across all categories will be officially announced at the ceremony in Rabat on 19 November 2025. The event will bring together players, coaches, football legends, administrators, and international observers, reinforcing CAF’s commitment to recognising the continent’s finest football achievements.
The ceremony remains an important cultural and sporting celebration, showcasing Africa’s rich football heritage and spotlighting individuals who have contributed to its growth.
