By Kunle Solaja.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) will honour the continent’s brightest football stars this Wednesday, as the prestigious CAF Awards return to Morocco.

The ceremony, scheduled for 19h00 local time (18h00 GMT), will be held at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Rabat.

Created to recognise excellence in African football, the CAF Awards spotlight both individual brilliance and collective achievement across male and female categories. The event celebrates players, coaches, clubs, national teams, and emerging talents who have made a significant impact over the past year.

This year’s ceremony will be co-hosted by Beninese music icon Angélique Kidjo and Moroccan comedian Oualass, adding a blend of continental artistry and humour to the gala.

Guests will also enjoy performances by Moroccan singer Douaa Lahyaoui, Congolese legend Awilo Longomba, and Ghanaian Afrobeats star Fuse ODG.

A total of 12 categories will be presented on the night, including the headline honours of African Player of the Year and African Women’s Player of the Year.

However, due to the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions League in Egypt, the winners for Women’s Coach of the Year, Women’s Interclub Player of the Year, and Women’s Club of the Year will be announced at a later date.

CAF has also unveiled the top three nominees across several categories:

Men’s Categories

African Player of the Year:
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/PSG), Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool), Victor Osimhen (Nigeria/Galatasaray)

Goalkeeper of the Year:
Yassine Bounou (Morocco/Al Hilal), Munir Mohamedi (Morocco/RS Berkane), Ronwen Williams (South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns)

Interclub Player of the Year:
Mohamed Chibi (Morocco/Pyramids), Oussama Lamlioui (Morocco/RS Berkane), Fiston Mayele (DR Congo/Pyramids)

Men’s Coach of the Year:
Bubista (Cape Verde), Mohamed Ouahbi (Morocco U-20), Walid Regragui (Morocco)

Young Player of the Year:
Othmane Maamma (Morocco/Watford), Abdellah Ouazane (Morocco/Ajax), Tylon Smith (South Africa/QPR)

Men’s National Team of the Year:
Cape Verde, Morocco, Morocco U-20

Men’s Club of the Year:
Mamelodi Sundowns, Pyramids, RS Berkane

Women’s Categories

African Women’s Player of the Year:
Rasheedat Ajibade (Nigeria/PSG), Ghizlaine Chebbak (Morocco/Al Hilal), Sanaa Mssoudy (Morocco/AS FAR)

Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year:
Andile Dlamini (South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns), Khadija Er-Rmichi (Morocco/AS FAR), Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria/Brighton)

Young Women’s Player of the Year:
Shakirat Abidemi Moshood (Nigeria/Bayelsa Queens), Doha El Madani (Morocco/AS FAR), Adji Ndiaye (Senegal/AS Bambey)

Women’s National Team:

Ghana, Morocco, Nigeria

With Morocco heavily represented across numerous categories and hosting the ceremony for another year, anticipation is high as the continent awaits the crowning of Africa’s football royalty.

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced global music icon Angélique Kidjo and Moroccan entertainer Oualass as hosts of the CAF Awards 2025, scheduled for 19 November at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Rabat.

The ceremony, which begins at 19:00 local time (18:00 GMT), will celebrate Africa’s top football talents while showcasing the continent’s cultural richness through its choice of presenters.

Kidjo, one of Africa’s most decorated artists, brings more than 30 years of international acclaim to the role.

The Beninese singer and five-time Grammy Award winner is widely revered for her fusion of world music and African rhythms. Beyond her musical achievements, Kidjo has been recognised by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential women and serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

She is a prominent advocate for women’s rights, education and the protection of African cultural heritage.

Joining her is Moroccan comedian and actor Oualass, whose rapid rise in popularity has made him a household name across North Africa and beyond. Known for his humour, improvisational style and ability to engage diverse audiences, Oualass is expected to bring vibrancy and charm to the event.

CAF said the pairing reflects its vision of celebrating not only football excellence but also the continent’s artistic diversity and cultural depth.

The 2025 CAF Awards will honour the standout players, coaches and teams from across Africa over the past year.

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released the list of finalists for the 2025 CAF Awards, with football heavyweights Mohamed Salah, Achraf Hakimi and Victor Osimhen headlining the Men’s Player of the Year category.

The awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday, 19 November, in Rabat, Morocco, where the continent’s top players, coaches, clubs and national teams will be honoured.

CAF Player of the Year

Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah is shortlisted after playing a pivotal role in Liverpool’s Premier League triumph last season, scoring 29 goals and providing 18 assists in 38 matches. His influence also extended to the international stage, helping Egypt qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Moroccan star Achraf Hakimi enjoyed a trophy-laden campaign with Paris Saint-Germain, winning the UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France and UEFA Super Cup while also reaching the FIFA Club World Cup final. He was equally instrumental in Morocco’s successful World Cup qualification campaign.

Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, now with Galatasaray, completes the list after netting an impressive 37 goals in 41 matches in the 2024/25 season. His prolific form has continued into the current campaign.

CAF Goalkeeper of the Year

Morocco’s Munir Mohamedi earns recognition for his role in guiding RS Berkane to the CAF Confederation Cup title and their first-ever Botola Pro championship.

Fellow Moroccan Yassine Bonou continues to cement his status as one of Africa’s finest goalkeepers, impressing for Al Hilal and earning a place in the FIFA Club World Cup Best XI.

South Africa’s Ronwen Williams is nominated after captaining Bafana Bafana to World Cup qualification and leading Mamelodi Sundowns to their eighth successive domestic league title, as well as the CAF Champions League final.

CAF Interclub Player of the Year

DR Congo striker Fiston Mayele is shortlisted after finishing top scorer in the CAF Champions League, helping Pyramids clinch their maiden continental crown.

Moroccan defender Mohamed Chibi is also recognised for his outstanding performances in Pyramids’ title-winning campaign.

RS Berkane’s Oussama Lamlioui, who scored six crucial goals in their Confederation Cup triumph and contributed to their league title, completes the list.

CAF Coach of the Year

Cape Verde’s Bubista headlines the nominees after guiding the island nation to its first-ever FIFA World Cup qualification.

Morocco U-20 coach Mohamed Ouahbi is shortlisted for leading his side to the 2025 FIFA Under-20 World Cup title.

Morocco senior team coach Walid Regragui is recognised after maintaining a perfect record in 2025 and steering the Atlas Lions to the 2026 World Cup following their historic 2022 semi-final run.

CAF Young Player of the Year

Moroccan teenager Abdellah Ouazane is nominated after starring in his country’s CAF Under-17 AFCON triumph, where he was named Player of the Tournament.

His compatriot Othmane Maamma, instrumental in Morocco’s U-20 World Cup victory and now with Watford, also makes the list.

South African defender Tylon Smith, a standout as his team won the U-20 AFCON, rounds off the nominees.

CAF National Team of the Year

Three teams are shortlisted:

• Cape Verde – for sealing a historic first-ever World Cup qualification.
• Morocco – for a strong year, including winning the 2024 African Nations Championship.
• Morocco U-20 – for capturing their first FIFA Under-20 World Cup title.

CAF Club of the Year

Egypt’s Pyramids lead the finalists after winning the CAF Champions League for the first time.

Morocco’s RS Berkane also make the list, having won the Confederation Cup for a record-equalling third time and securing their maiden Botola Pro title.

South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns complete the category after extending their league title streak to eight and reaching the CAF Champions League final.

The winners will be announced during Wednesday’s ceremony as African football celebrates its finest performers of the year.

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