CAF Awards 2025: A Look at the Nominees
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled its list of nominees for the CAF Awards 2025, celebrating excellence across various categories in men’s football. These awards honor the standout players, coaches, teams, and clubs that have left an indelible mark on the continent’s beautiful game over the past year. The nominations showcase a vibrant mix of established stars, emerging talents, and tactical masterminds, promising an exciting ceremony that reflects the growing stature of African football on the global stage.
Player of the Year: A Galaxy of Stars
The prestigious Men’s Player of the Year category features a compelling lineup of eleven exceptional talents. Among the prominent names are Napoli’s midfield powerhouse Frank Anguissa from Cameroon and Liverpool’s Egyptian maestro Mohamed Salah, both consistently delivering top-tier performances. They are joined by the prolific striker Victor Osimhen (Nigeria), who has been a revelation for club and country, and the dynamic Moroccan full-back Achraf Hakimi, a key figure for Paris Saint-Germain. The list also recognizes the goal-scoring prowess of Serhou Guirassy (Guinea) and the emerging influence of players like Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal) and Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal).
Interclub Excellence: Dominance on the Home Front
The Interclub Player of the Year award shines a light on those who have excelled within African club competitions. This category sees players like Fiston Mayele (DR Congo), who also features in the overall Player of the Year list, alongside Egyptian talents such as Emam Ashour and Ibrahim Adel. Moroccan players Mohamed Hrimat, Mohamed Chibi, and Oussama Lamlioui demonstrate the strength of North African clubs in continental tournaments. The inclusion of Ismail Belkacemi (Algeria), Blati Touré (Burkina Faso), Issoufou Dayo (Burkina Faso), and Shomari Kapombe (Tanzania) further underscores the depth of talent contributing to the competitive landscape of African club football.
Young Blood: The Future is Bright
The Young Player of the Year category is a testament to the burgeoning talent emerging from Africa. This list celebrates the continent’s bright future, featuring promising youngsters such as Ashraf Tapsoba (Burkina Faso), Alynho Haidara (Côte d’Ivoire), and Noah Sadiki (DR Congo). Morocco boasts several nominees in this category, including Abdellah Ouazane, Houssam Essadak, and Othmane Maamma, indicating a strong youth development pipeline. Nigerian prodigy Daniel Bameyi, Sierra Leone’s Momoh Kamara, and South African talents Mbekezile Mbokazi and Tylon Smith complete this exciting group of future stars.
Guardians of the Goal: The Best Shot-Stoppers
The Goalkeeper of the Year award recognizes the continent’s most formidable guardians between the posts. This year’s nominees include Manchester United’s André Onana (Cameroon), along with seasoned professionals like Vozinha (Cape Verde) and Ahmed El Shenawy (Egypt). Moroccan goalkeepers Munir Mohamedi and Yassine Bounou have both delivered exceptional performances, while Nigeria’s Stanley Nwabali and Senegal’s Édouard Mendy and Marc Diouf continue to impress. South Africa’s Ronwen Williams and Tunisia’s Aymen Dahmen complete a strong field of shot-stoppers.
Master Tacticians: Coaches Leading the Way
The Coach of the Year category honors the strategic minds behind the teams’ successes. Bubista (Cape Verde) is recognized for his leadership, alongside Egyptian coach Hossam Hassan and Pyramids FC’s Krunoslav Jurčić. Sami Trabelsi (CS Sfaxien), Romuald Rakotondrabe (Madagascar – CHAN), Moïne Chaâbani (CR Belouizdad), Tarik Sektioui (Morocco – CHAN), Mohamed Ouahbi (Morocco – U-20), Walid Regragui (Morocco), and Pape Thiaw (Senegal) are all nominated for their tactical brilliance and ability to inspire their respective teams to achieve great feats.
National Team Pride: Collective Excellence
The National Team of the Year category celebrates the collective efforts of the continent’s top international sides. The nominees include footballing powerhouses like Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, and Senegal. The surprise package of Cape Verde and the inclusion of Morocco U-20 highlight rising football nations and strong youth programs. South Africa and Tunisia round out the list, showcasing a broad representation of African footballing strength.
Club Dominance: Pillars of the African Game
Finally, the Club of the Year award recognizes the continent’s most outstanding club teams. Algerian clubs CR Belouizdad and CS Constantine feature prominently, alongside Ivorian giants ASEC Mimosas and Egyptian side Pyramids FC. Moroccan club RS Berkane also receives a nomination. South African football is well-represented with Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, and Stellenbosch FC. Sudanese club Al Hilal SC and Tanzanian powerhouse Simba SC complete the strong contingent of nominees, reflecting the fiercely competitive nature of African club competitions.
The CAF Awards 2025 are poised to be a spectacular event, celebrating the rich talent and passion that defines African football. The anticipation builds to see who will ultimately be crowned the best in each category, further cementing their legacy in the annals of African football history.
