Moroccan star Achraf Hakimi is reportedly set to be crowned the CAF African Player of the Year, edging out Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman in a closely contested race.
The official announcement is expected later today, according to widespread reports from French, Moroccan, and Egyptian media.
Hakimi, who had a stellar season with Paris Saint-Germain, was instrumental in the club’s Ligue 1 triumph and played a pivotal role in their journey to the UEFA Champions League semifinals.
The 26-year-old also added the Trophée des Champions and the Coupe de France to his accolades. On the international stage, Hakimi contributed to Morocco’s bronze-medal finish at the 2024 Olympic Games, further solidifying his credentials.
Lookman, on the other hand, enjoyed a breakout season with Italian side Atalanta. His extraordinary performance in the Europa League final, where he scored a historic hat trick against Bayer Leverkusen, made him a strong contender for the award. However, recent speculation suggests that the Super Eagles star will miss out on the prestigious honour.
French publication Onze Mondial reported that Hakimi is the frontrunner for the award barring any last-minute surprises. Similarly, Al Ahly TV also suggested that the Moroccan defender has edged ahead of Lookman, despite the Nigerian being considered a favourite earlier in the voting process.
Hakimi’s anticipated victory adds to his growing list of personal accolades, having recently featured on several global “Best African Player” lists. Lookman, meanwhile, also narrowly lost out to Mohamed Salah in another high-profile ranking earlier this year.
The CAF African Player of the Year Award remains one of the most prestigious honours in African football, celebrating the continent’s finest talent. If confirmed, Hakimi’s win will mark another milestone in his remarkable career.