November 17, (THEWILL) — The Confederation of African Football has confirmed the three finalists for its 2025 Men’s Player of the Year award. Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi will compete for the honour at a ceremony in Rabat on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.
Osimhen has impressed for Galatasaray, though some recent performances fall outside the October 15 judging deadline. The striker’s UEFA Champions League hat-trick against Ajax in Amsterdam and two goals in Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup play-off victory over Gabon last Thursday will not count towards the current assessment.
Salah contributed significantly to Liverpool’s record-equalling 20th English Premier League title last season. The two-time African award winner won the 2024/2025 EPL Golden Boot with 29 goals, six ahead of Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, who has since joined Salah in Anfield.
Hakimi helped Paris Saint-Germain claim the UEFA Champions League trophy for the first time and reach the Club World Cup final, where they finished runners-up to Chelsea. The 27-year-old full-back, currently sidelined through injury, is expected to lead Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations from December 21. The hosts last won the continental competition in 1976.
Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman claimed the award in 2024 and will be succeeded by one of the three nominees. Technical and development committee members, coaches, former players, and selected media representatives chose the finalists.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
