Hakimi Wins African Footballer Of the Year As Osimhen, Salah Snub Sparks Debate

Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi was on Tuesday, November 19, crowned the 2025 African Footballer of the Year at the CAF Awards in Rabat, Morocco, a historic win that ended a 52-year wait for a defender to clinch the continent’s most prestigious individual honour.

Hakimi enjoyed a remarkable year, lifting the UEFA Champions League and securing a domestic treble with PSG. His performances, widely acknowledged by CAF and international media, positioned him as a strong favourite for the award based on silverware and continental influence.

Osimhen, Salah Fans Question Outcome

However, the decision has stirred widespread debate across Nigeria, where many believe Victor Osimhen or Mohamed Salah delivered seasons worthy of the crown.

Osimhen, who finished behind Hakimi in the final rankings, had a dominant campaign with Galatasaray, ending the season as the league’s top scorer and helping secure a domestic double. His absence from the award ceremony — reportedly due to a hamstring concern — and his return without a trophy triggered passionate reactions from fans and pundits in Lagos, Abuja, and across Nigerian social media.

For many Nigerians, Osimhen’s prolific scoring record and influence for both club and country should have placed him ahead of the PSG defender.

Salah, meanwhile, enjoyed another standout season for Liverpool, recording impressive goal contributions and earning several individual recognitions in Europe. His absence from the award ceremony added fuel to long-standing debates about whether CAF awards tend to favour trophy-winning players over those with superior individual statistics.

Divergent Voting Philosophies Explored

The outcome has revived a familiar discussion: Should the African Player of the Year be determined primarily by trophies, individual brilliance, or national-team impact?

Hakimi’s Champions League success clearly carried significant weight with voters. Yet supporters of Osimhen and Salah argue that goals, consistency, and on-field influence should have ranked just as highly.

International sports outlets and Nigerian newspapers alike framed the race as one of the closest in recent years, exposing differing philosophies among voters across the continent.

Nigerian Reaction and Wider Implications

Beyond fan disappointment, analysts note that such award outcomes can influence a player’s market value, sponsorships, and public perception. Several Nigerian commentators also highlighted the broader successes recorded by Nigerian women at the ceremony but admitted that Osimhen’s miss overshadowed these achievements for many local fans.

Looking Ahead

Although Hakimi firmly secured the 2025 honour, debates around Salah’s consistency and Osimhen’s goalscoring prowess continue to dominate discussions in football circles from North Africa to West Africa.

For many Nigerian supporters, attention is now shifting to what comes next — particularly how Osimhen and the Super Eagles can convert their momentum into major accomplishments in the upcoming season, leaving less room for controversy and more space for undeniable triumphs.