What to Know About the 2025 CAF Awards

The 2025 CAF Awards will take place on Wednesday night in Rabat, Morocco, bringing together Africa’s finest football stars, coaches, teams and performers. 

The event celebrates the best in African football for the period between January 6 and October 15, 2025, honouring both personal achievements and outstanding team performances across the continent.

Osimhen, Salah and Hakimi Leads

One of the biggest highlights of the night is the race for the CAF Men’s Player of the Year. Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, who won the award in 2023, is back on the shortlist. 

He faces tough competition from Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and PSG defender Achraf Hakimi. All three players had strong years, making this one of the most competitive categories.

Nigeria also has a strong presence on the women’s side. Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade is among the top contenders for the African Women’s Player of the Year. 

Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie is also back in the mix and could secure her third straight Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award, after another impressive season.

When and where the event will hold

The ceremony will happen on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Rabat. 

The show begins at 7:00 pm local time (6:00 pm GMT). It is expected to be a glamorous evening with stars from across Africa gathering to celebrate the best of the best.

Hosts and performers set for the night

Beninese legend Angélique Kidjo and Moroccan comedian Oualass will host the ceremony. Music lovers will also enjoy performances from Moroccan singer Douaa Lahyaoui, Congolese hitmaker Awilo Longomba, and Ghana’s Fuse ODG adding colour and culture to the night.

Awards to Be Presented

Several major categories will be announced during the ceremony. These include:

• African Player of the Year
  
• African Women’s Player of the Year
  
• African Goalkeeper of the Year
  
• African Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year
  
• Interclub Player of the Year
  
• Men’s Coach of the Year
  
• Young Player of the Year
  
• Young Women’s Player of the Year
  
• Men’s Club of the Year
  
• Men’s National Team of the Year
  
• Women’s National Team of the Year
  
• Goal of the Year
  

However, because the CAF Women’s Champions League is currently ongoing in Egypt, three women’s categories, Women’s Coach of the Year, Women’s Interclub Player of the Year and Women’s Club of the Year will be announced later.

Top Nominees to Watch

The top three nominees across the major categories reflect the diversity and quality of African football.

For the Men’s Player of the Year, the final contenders are:
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain)
Mohamed Salah (Egypt / Liverpool)
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria / Galatasaray)

The Goalkeeper of the Year shortlist features:
Yassine Bounou (Morocco / Al Hilal)
Munir Mohamedi (Morocco / RS Berkane)
Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)

In the Women’s Player of the Year category, the final three are:
Rasheedat Ajibade (Nigeria / Paris Saint-Germain)
Ghizlaine Chebbak (Morocco / Al Hilal)
Sanaa Mssoudy (Morocco / AS FAR)

Nnadozie also appears on the final list for African Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year, joining:
Andile Dlamini (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)
Khadija Er-Rmichi (Morocco / AS FAR)

There are also strong young talents nominated in the youth categories, including Nigeria’s Shakirat Abidemi Moshood and Morocco’s Othmane Maamma.