The stage is set for the 2025 CAF Awards, where Africa’s finest footballers and coaches will be crowned on Wednesday night at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Rabat, Morocco.
The ceremony, scheduled for November 19, 2025, from 19:00 local time (18:00 GMT), will honour outstanding performances recorded between January 6 and October 15, 2025, recognising excellence across men’s and women’s football on the continent.
Reigning CAF Men’s Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen, returns to the top category and will battle for the continent’s highest individual honour against Egypt and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, and Morocco’s PSG defender Achraf Hakimi. In the women’s category, Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade remains in contention for the African Women’s Player of the Year Award, while compatriot Chiamaka Nnadozie is aiming for her third consecutive crown as Goalkeeper of the Year.
This year’s ceremony will be hosted by Beninese music icon Angélique Kidjo and Moroccan comedian Oualass, with performances from Moroccan singer Douaa Lahyaoui, Congolese legend Awilo Longomba, and Ghanaian star Fuse ODG adding colour to the event.
Awards to be presented include African Player of the Year, African Women’s Player of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year (men and women), Interclub Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Young Player awards, National Team awards, Club of the Year, and Goal of the Year. Due to the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions League in Egypt, winners of the Women’s Coach of the Year, Women’s Interclub Player of the Year, and Women’s Club of the Year categories will be announced at a later date.
Among the top nominees, Morocco leads with a strong presence. Hakimi features in the top three for African Player of the Year, while Yassine Bounou and Munir Mohamedi form two-thirds of the Goalkeeper of the Year shortlist. In the Interclub category, Moroccan stars Mohamed Chibi and Oussama Lamlioui will compete alongside DR Congo’s Fiston Mayele. Morocco’s dominance also extends to coaching, with Walid Regragui and Mohamed Ouahbi in contention for Men’s Coach of the Year.
The Women’s category also features strong Nigerian representation. Ajibade is up for the top honour, while Chiamaka Nnadozie returns to the Goalkeeper of the Year shortlist alongside South Africa’s Andile Dlamini and Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi. Rising Nigerian talent Shakirat Abidemi Moshood is nominated for the Young African Women’s Player of the Year award.
In team and club categories, Cape Verde, Morocco, and Morocco U-20 are shortlisted for Men’s National Team of the Year, while Mamelodi Sundowns, Pyramids, and RS Berkane will battle for Men’s Club of the Year. Ghana, Morocco, and Nigeria are the finalists for Women’s National Team of the Year.
With star power on and off the stage, compelling rivalries, and a celebration of the continent’s brightest talents, Africa’s football community now awaits to see who will emerge as the continent’s best in Rabat.
