Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi are among the 10 players shortlisted for the 2025 CAF African Player of the Year award, organisers announced on Wednesday.
Salah, who finished fourth in this year’s Ballon d’Or, and Hakimi, who placed sixth, are considered early favourites for the prestigious African title. The Egyptian captain has already won the award twice, while Morocco’s Hakimi will be hoping to clinch it for the first time.
The Premier League has three representatives on the list — Salah, alongside Senegalese duo Pape Matar Sarr of Tottenham Hotspur and Iliman Ndiaye of Everton.
Two Africa-based players also made the cut: Congolese striker Fiston Mayele of Egyptian champions Pyramids FC, and Morocco’s Oussama Lamlioui of Renaissance Berkane — both known for their goal-scoring form on the continent.
Notably, last year’s winner, Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman, missed out on the shortlist. However, his compatriot and 2023 winner Victor Osimhen, now playing for Galatasaray, made the list.
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Full list of nominees for CAF Awards 2025 unveiled
The nominees were selected by CAF’s technical and development committee, alongside national team coaches, former players, and select media representatives.
Full list of nominees:
André-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Cameroon / Napoli)
Fiston Mayele (DR Congo / Pyramids)
Mohamed Salah (Egypt / Liverpool)
Denis Bouanga (Gabon / Los Angeles FC)
Serhou Guirassy (Guinea / Borussia Dortmund)
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / PSG)
Oussama Lamlioui (Morocco / Renaissance Berkane)
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria / Galatasaray)
Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal / Everton)
Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal / Tottenham Hotspur)
