Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi won the African men’s player of the year award, capping a glittering season with Paris Saint-Germain.
The 27-year-old lifted the UEFA Champions League, secured a fourth Ligue 1 title, and claimed the French Cup and UEFA Super Cup.
PSG fell short in the Club World Cup final, leaving Hakimi with a runners-up medal in New York.
Hakimi edged out former winners Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen to claim the prestigious award for the first time.
“It’s really an honour to be here today, and I’m proud to win such a prestigious trophy,” Hakimi said.
He dedicated the award to family, teammates, Morocco coach Walid Regragui, and all Africans chasing football dreams.
Hakimi is nursing a severely sprained ankle but hopes to lead Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations starting December 21.
Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak won the African women’s player award, beating Sanaa Mssoudy and Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade.
Chebbak led scoring at the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations, though Morocco fell to Nigeria in the final match.
It was a triumphant day for Morocco, with Yassine Bounou claiming men’s goalkeeper of the year and the U-20 team voted best national side.
Watford’s Othmane Maamma won best young men’s player, while Doha El Madani retained best young women’s player honours.
Cape Verde’s coach Bubista earned men’s coach of the year after guiding his 525,000-population nation to the 2026 World Cup.
Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie won her third consecutive women’s goalkeeper of the year award, cementing her continental dominance.
