Paris St Germain's Achraf Hakimi was named African Footballer of the Year at the 2025 CAF Awards in Rabat on Wednesday, the first defender to claim the prize in 52 years as he finished ahead ofMohamed Salahand Victor Osimhen in the voting.

Moroccan right back Hakimi was rewarded for a trophy-laden 2025 with PSG in which he claimed theChampions League,Ligue 1title, Coupe de France andUEFASuper Cup.

Read moreMorocco's Achraf Hakimi named African player of the year in Ligue 1

He is the first Moroccan to win the award since midfielder Mustapha Hadji in 1998, and the first defender since Zaire centre back Bwanga Tshimen in 1973.

"It is really a proud moment for me to win this prestigious award," Hakimi said. "This trophy is not just for me, but all the strong men and women who have dreams of being a footballer in Africa.

"And for those that always believed in me since I was a child, that I would be a professional footballer one day. I would like to thank them all."

Moroccoswept several other awards, including Womens Footballer of the Year for Saudi-based forward Ghizlane Chebbak and Goalkeeper of the Year for Al-Hilals Yassine Bounou.

The Womens Goalkeeper of the Year was claimed for the third time in a row by Nigerias Chiamaka Nnadozie, who recently made the move to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Womens Super League.

Bubista fromCape Verdewon the Coach of the Year after leading the tiny island nation to a debut appearance at theWorld Cupin the United States,MexicoandCanadanext year.

(FRANCE 24 with Reuters)

Originally published on France24