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CAF Men’s Player Of The Year 2025: Ranking The Top Four African Contenders - Sports - Nairaland 5rb4y

CAF Men’s Player Of The Year 2025: Ranking The Top Four African Contenders (31557 Views)

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Great100000: 8:17pm On Jun 03
Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen has been crowned the Golden Boot winner in the Turkish Super Lig.

He scored 26 goals this season as Galatasaray claimed their 25th league title. He was also named the Player of the Season in the Turkish league.

Osimhen ed 37 goals and eight assists in all competitions and helped his side to a domestic double, winning both the league and the Turkish Cup.

The Nigerian forward is widely rated as one of Europe’s finest strikers this season, with top clubs like Al Hilal, Juventus, and Manchester United reportedly eyeing him.

Galatasaray, however, are keen on retaining his services, aiming to build their team around him.

What makes Osimhen’s season particularly remarkable is that it has put him in contention for a second CAF Men’s Player of the Year award.

However, he faces stiff competition from other African stars who also had exceptional campaigns—and some might be slightly ahead of him in the race.

Achraf Hakimi is one of those players. The Moroccan fullback finished second to Ademola Lookman in last year’s CAF awards, but this season he looks like a clear favorite.


He played a vital role in Paris Saint-Germain’s quadruple-winning campaign, including scoring in the UEFA Champions League final.

With nine goals and 14 assists, Hakimi’s attacking output is phenomenal for a right-back.

Beyond the stats, his stamina, tactical intelligence, and ability to transition from defense to attack were crucial for PSG all season.

Mohamed Salah is also in the conversation—and deservedly so. He had yet another outstanding season, winning the Premier League, Golden Boot, and Playmaker Award.

The Egyptian scored 29 goals and provided 18 assists in the league, and finished the season with a staggering 34 goals and 23 assists in all competitions. At 32, Salah’s consistency remains unmatched.

He also became the fifth-highest goal scorer in Premier League history, with 186 goals.

Additionally, he was named Premier League Player of the Season and FWA Footballer of the Year.

Serhou Guirassy is perhaps the most underrated name among the contenders. The Guinean striker had an incredible season and was instrumental for Borussia Dortmund.

He ended the Champions League campaign as the t-top scorer, with 13 goals—sharing the Golden Boot with Raphinha.

In the Bundesliga, Guirassy scored 21 goals and had 10 assists across all competitions.

Despite Dortmund’s poor overall form, Guirassy’s contributions helped the club finish strong, going unbeaten in their last eight matches to secure Champions League qualification.

His hat-trick against Barcelona in the knockout stage was a career-defining performance.

All four players had phenomenal seasons, and while they all deserve recognition, the CAF Men’s Player of the Year award will ultimately come down to votes—which may be influenced by individual biases.

Frontrunners for the CAF Men’s Award:

1. Achraf Hakimi – Outstanding contribution from right-back in a historic PSG season. Often overlooked because of his position, but his impact was immense.

2. Serhou Guirassy – Delivered big moments in a struggling team. If he had better service or media hype, his achievements would be even more celebrated.

3. Mohamed Salah – A phenomenal season again, but his underwhelming displays against PSG in the Champions League, the FA Cup loss to Plymouth, and the Carabao Cup final hurt his case.

4. Victor Osimhen – Had a superb campaign, but the Turkish league’s relatively lower profile may affect his chances.


Source: https://www.brila.net/caf-mens-player-of-the-year-2025-ranking-the-top-four-african-contenders/

20 Likes 3 Shares

Chigiven: 8:21pm On Jun 03
Achraf Hakimi – Outstanding contribution from right-back in a historic PSG season. Often overlooked because of his position, but his impact was immense.

122 Likes 5 Shares

SadiqBabaSani: 8:32pm On Jun 03
Achraf should win this one.

95 Likes 3 Shares

chicfarmer: 9:32pm On Jun 03
SadiqBabaSani:
Achraf should win this one.
hakimi
salah
osimhen
guirassy
in that order

92 Likes 6 Shares

alanto: 9:47pm On Jun 03
Hakimi has been the best player of the year since his divorce and he'll remain so for a long time .. After him is Israel Adesanya. Every other person on that list needs to up their games. Off the pitch of course.

106 Likes 7 Shares

UkoAnnang(m): 10:01pm On Jun 03
cheesy



Hakimi don win this one make no body drag am

No APC method here

47 Likes 5 Shares

Commentor: 10:02pm On Jun 03
Salah.
Hakimi
Osimhen.

73 Likes 2 Shares

franchasng: 10:02pm On Jun 03
Osimhen vs Hakimi vs Salah

It's a tough contest this year.

But Osimhen deserves the crown because he is my brother from the great Edo kingdom and it is his turn, Osimhen lokan cool

9 Likes

ReubenE(m): 10:02pm On Jun 03
Give the damn award to Hakimi. Very good and consistent player

34 Likes 3 Shares

aylagos(m): 10:02pm On Jun 03
Hakimi pls

9 Likes 1 Share

Earthquakes: 10:03pm On Jun 03
alanto:
Hakimi has been the best player of the year since his divorce and he'll remain so for a long time .. After him is Israel Adesanya. Every other person on that list needs to up their games. Off the pitch of course.

Israel who🙄🙄🙄

12 Likes

ZACHIE: 10:03pm On Jun 03
Give it to North Africa make we rest.
Hackimi or Salah
Either will do

14 Likes 2 Shares

oluwaseyi0: 10:03pm On Jun 03
alanto:
Hakimi has been the best player of the year since his divorce and he'll remain so for a long time .. After him is Israel Adesanya. Every other person on that list needs to up their games. Off the pitch of course.

Israel bawo?

10 Likes

Melagros(m): 10:03pm On Jun 03
COMRADES, I think Osimen deserves it or Salad, Hakimi no supposed dey there but he is included because of the wayo wei en play his ex Spaniard wife that year
DeltaBachelor(m): 10:04pm On Jun 03
Nice
richiemcgold: 10:04pm On Jun 03
It is Hakimi's time this time

15 Likes

DeltaBachelor(m): 10:04pm On Jun 03
Melagros:
COMRADES, I think Osimen deserves it
Nor be only Osimhen. This is Hakimi's award

16 Likes

Bestwt001: 10:06pm On Jun 03
To be honest, we are all Nigerians but I will boldly stand and say that Mohammed salah should win it, he was one if the best this season, scred over 30 goals and over 30 assist in the hardest league, common

7 Likes

DeltaBachelor(m): 10:06pm On Jun 03
grin
oluwaseyi0:


Israel bawo?
grin

Isreal ko, Hamas ni

We dey talk football, baba dey talk about UFC for CAF matter grin

13 Likes 2 Shares

louken(m): 10:06pm On Jun 03
chicfarmer:

hakimi
salah
osimhen
guirassy
in that order
True

4 Likes

96ACE: 10:06pm On Jun 03
The coast looks clear for Hakimi who is having 3 domestic titles plus UCL title.

11 Likes

7upnigeria: 10:08pm On Jun 03
alanto:
Hakimi has been the best player of the year since his divorce and he'll remain so for a long time .. After him is Israel Adesanya. Every other person on that list needs to up their games. Off the pitch of course.

😟

1 Like

Seunpapa65: 10:08pm On Jun 03
Hakimi might be winning it

1 Like

GanagiBitrus: 10:09pm On Jun 03
Looking like a Straight fight between Hakimi & Salah

LIKE for Hakimi, SHARE for Salah

36 Likes 7 Shares

Akpakomiza2: 10:09pm On Jun 03
Commentor:
Salah.
Hakim
Osimhen.

Hakimi

1 Like

Akpakomiza2: 10:10pm On Jun 03
Melagros:
COMRADES, I think Osimen deserves it or Salad, Hakimi no supposed dey there but he is included because of the wayo wei en play his ex Spaniard wife that year

Hakimi sir

1 Like

realmindz: 10:10pm On Jun 03
Top three

Hakimi
Oshimen
Moh salah

5 Likes

phr0nesis(m): 10:10pm On Jun 03
1. Hakim
2. Mo Salah
3. Osimhen
4. Guirassy

I like this year's contenders for their outstanding and world class performances. Unlike other years when the list is barely filled with average performers

18 Likes

tiswell(m): 10:10pm On Jun 03
The brotherhood is proud to announce Achraaf Hakimi as the winner

12 Likes

realmindz: 10:11pm On Jun 03
alanto:
Hakimi has been the best player of the year since his divorce and he'll remain so for a long time .. After him is Israel Adesanya. Every other person on that list needs to up their games. Off the pitch of course.

Na Mohammed Ali suppose top

1 Like

FbiObserverBot: 10:12pm On Jun 03
Hakimi or Sallah

3 Likes

Osariemen12: 10:14pm On Jun 03
Hakimi deserves it.

7 Likes

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