The continent’s biggest football stars will be honoured tonight as the CAF Awards 2025 take centre stage at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Rabat, Morocco. The ceremony, which begins at 9pm, will celebrate the best players, coaches, teams and officials from the year under review, with football icons, dignitaries and invited guests expected to fill the venue.
CAF has released the final shortlist across all categories, with three nominees competing for each award. In the men’s category, Mohamed Salah, who fired Liverpool to the 2024/25 Premier League title with 29 goals and 18 assists, is shortlisted for Player of the Year. He faces strong competition from PSG defender Achraf Hakimi, who enjoyed a historic season as his club lifted the UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France and UEFA Super Cup, while also helping Morocco secure FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification. Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen completes the trio after a prolific season at Galatasaray, scoring 37 goals in 41 appearances.
The Goalkeeper of the Year category features Morocco’s Munir Mohamedi, who was key to RS Berkane’s CAF Confederation Cup and Botola Pro triumphs; fellow Moroccan Yassine Bonou, who shone for Al Hilal and earned a place in the FIFA Club World Cup Best XI; and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams, who captained Mamelodi Sundowns to their eighth straight league title and guided Bafana Bafana to World Cup qualification.
For Interclub Player of the Year, DR Congo’s Fiston Mayele stands out after finishing as top scorer in the CAF Champions League and helping Pyramids lift the trophy for the first time. He is joined by Moroccan duo Mohamed Chibi, whose defensive and attacking brilliance powered Pyramids to continental success, and Oussama Lamlioui, who scored decisive goals in RS Berkane’s Confederation Cup triumph and contributed significantly to their Botola Pro title.
In the Coach of the Year race, Cape Verde’s Bubista is recognised for leading his nation to a historic first-ever World Cup qualification. Morocco’s Mohamed Ouahbi is shortlisted after guiding the U-20 side to the FIFA U-20 World Cup title, while senior team coach Walid Regragui earned his nomination after Morocco maintained a perfect run in 2025 on their way to World Cup qualification.
Young Player of the Year nominees include Abdellah Ouazane, who impressed as Morocco lifted the CAF U-17 AFCON title; Othmane Maamma, a key figure in Morocco’s U-20 World Cup victory; and South Africa’s Tylon Smith, who anchored his country’s defence as they won the U-20 AFCON.
Cape Verde, Morocco and Morocco’s U-20 side will contest the National Team of the Year award after outstanding campaigns, including World Cup qualification and continental triumphs. Club of the Year will be contested by Pyramids, RS Berkane and Mamelodi Sundowns, all of whom enjoyed major continental success.
In the women’s categories, Morocco’s Ghizlaine Chebbak, AS FAR forward Sanaa Mssoudy and Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade headline the nominees for Women’s Player of the Year. Each has enjoyed a standout season, with Ajibade recently being named Player of the Tournament at the CAF WAFCON. The Goalkeeper of the Year shortlist features Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi, Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie and South Africa’s Andile Dlamini, all of whom remain the continent’s most consistent shot-stoppers.
Women’s Young Player of the Year will be contested by Morocco’s Doha El Madani, Senegal’s Adji Ndiaye and Nigeria’s Shakirat Abidemi Moshood, each representing the next generation of African talent. Ghana, Morocco and Nigeria are the finalists for Women’s National Team of the Year after strong campaigns in the continent’s top tournaments.
Tonight’s ceremony will conclude with performances from notable African stars including Douaa Lahyaoui, Awilo Longomba and Fuse ODG, bringing together music and football excellence in a grand celebration of the African game.
