African football’s biggest individual honour is days away from being decided, and the continent now knows the three players who will compete for the crown. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released its final shortlist for the 2025 Player of the Year award, confirming Victor Osimhen, Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi as the last men standing.
Their selection sets the stage for a high-stakes battle in Rabat, Morocco, where the awards ceremony will take place on November 19.
The trio’s inclusion reflects their consistency, dominance and impact across major European leagues. Osimhen, currently with Galatasaray, delivered one of his most prolific seasons, leading the Turkish giants to both the league title and the Turkish Cup. In 44 appearances, he registered 37 goals and eight assists, a performance that kept him firmly in global football conversations.
At Liverpool, Mohamed Salah enjoyed yet another remarkable season, guiding the club to the English Premier League trophy. He recorded 34 goals and 23 assists across 52 matches, reinforcing his status as one of Africa’s most decorated forwards. Having already won the award twice — in 2017 and 2018 — Salah is seeking to reclaim the throne.
Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint-Germain completes the shortlist after an extraordinary trophy haul. The Moroccan defender won virtually every available competition: the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, French League, French Cup and French Super Cup. Across 55 appearances, he contributed 11 goals and 16 assists, demonstrating influence far beyond his position.
The 2025 CAF Awards cover player achievements between January 6 and October 15, celebrating excellence across club and national team football during that period. This year’s finalists arrive with impressive credentials, making the competition for the top honour more intense than ever.
As anticipation builds ahead of Wednesday’s event in Rabat, fans across Africa are eagerly waiting to see which of these three standout performers will emerge as the continent’s finest for 2025. Each contender has a compelling case, setting up a ceremony filled with excitement and prestige.
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