Africa’s football fraternity is gearing up for a major night on the calendar as the 2025 CAF Awards come off on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, in Rabat, Morocco.
The ceremony, which recognises the continent’s best performers between January and October this year, will bring together top players, coaches, clubs and national teams for one of the most anticipated events in African football.
Ahead of the gala, CAF has officially released the final shortlist across all major categories, confirming the three contenders who will battle for honours on the night.
In the headline category, the Men’s Player of the Year award will be contested by Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi and Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, who has impressed this season with Galatasaray.
Their inclusion sets up what is expected to be a tightly fought contest among three of Africa’s most influential footballers.
Morocco features prominently across several categories, underscoring the country’s strong year in both club and international football.
In the Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year race, Munir Mohamedi of RS Berkane, Yassine Bounou of Al Hilal and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams of Mamelodi Sundowns complete the final trio.
The shortlist for Interclub Player of the Year includes Fiston Mayele and Mohamed Chibi, both from Pyramids, alongside RS Berkane’s Oussama Lamlioui.
Cape Verde’s Bubista, Morocco U20 coach Mohamed Ouahbi and national team manager Walid Regragui have been named as finalists for Coach of the Year.
The Young Player of the Year award will see Ajax’s Abdellah Ouazane, Watford’s Othmane Maamma and Queen’s Park Rangers midfielder Tylon Smith compete for the honour.
For team accolades, Cape Verde, Morocco and the Morocco U20 side are shortlisted for Men’s National Team of the Year, while Pyramids, RS Berkane and Mamelodi Sundowns will vie for Men’s Club of the Year.
The women’s categories are also tightly contested.
Morocco’s dominance continues with Ghizlaine Chebbak and Sanaa Mssoudy joining Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade in the final three for Women’s Player of the Year.
The Women’s Goalkeeper shortlist features AS FAR’s Khadija Er-Rmichi, Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie of Brighton and Hove Albion and South Africa’s Andile Dlamini of Mamelodi Sundowns.
In the Women’s Young Player category, Morocco’s Doha El Madani, Senegal’s Adji Ndiaye and Nigeria’s Shakirat Abidemi Moshood complete the finalists.
Ghana, Morocco and Nigeria have also been confirmed as the top three for Women’s National Team of the Year.
CAF has indicated that winners for the women’s interclub categories will be determined after the conclusion of the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions League.
Fans will have a direct role in deciding the Goal of the Year award – a category that former Ghana Premier League star Aziz Issas was previously nominated for – with public voting determining the winner from a shortlist of 13 goals selected by a CAF technical panel.
Strikes from Zambia’s Barbra Banda, Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak and Morocco’s Oussama Lamlioui are among the standout contenders.
With all categories now confirmed, the ceremony in Rabat promises to be a celebration of excellence, marking the achievements of Africa’s finest football talents.
As the continent awaits the unveiling of the winners, excitement continues to build ahead of what is expected to be a memorable night for African football.
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Story by Erica Odeenyin Odoom | univers.ug.edu.gh
