African player of the year 2025: Achraf Hakimi and Mohamed Salah lead 10-man shortlist

Achraf Hakimi and Mohamed Salah lead the contenders on the 10-man shortlist for the 2025 African Footballer of the Year Award.

Morocco right-back Hakimi helped his club side Paris St-Germain to a domestic league and cup double and the Champions League trophy last season, while Salah won the Premier League Golden Boot as Liverpool reclaimed the title.

Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Pape Matar Sarr, who both helped Senegal qualify for the 2026 Fifa World Cup, are included alongside Galatasaray and Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, who won in 2023.

Cameroon midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, DR Congo striker Fiston Mayele, Gabon forward Denis Bouanga, Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy and Moroccan midfielder Oussama Lamlioui round out the nominees.

Salah scooped the award in 2017 and 2018, while Hakimi finished as runner up in the past two years.

Last year's winner Ademola Lookman misses out on the shortlist, with a panel of experts appointed by the Confederation of African Football (Caf) nominating the players, coaches and teams that made "a significant impact" between 6 January and 15 October this year.

Cape Verde boss Bubista is nominated for men's Coach of the Year after leading the Blue Sharks to a historic first ever qualification for the World Cup.

The Atlantic Ocean islanders are also in the running for men's National Team of the Year alongside the Morocco side which recently won the Under-20 World Cup.

Nigeria pair Esther Okoronkwo and Rasheedat Ajibade are among the nominees for the women's Player of the Year award which was announced last week.

Caf is yet to announce a date for the awards ceremony.

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