African footballer of the'year, Salah settles for second place
L’former Inter Milan defender Achraf Hakimi has been named African Player of the Year in Rabat. It is the first time the 27-year-old Morocco captain has won the award given by the African Football Confederation (Caf), at the end of a season that saw him win in the ranks of Paris Saint-Germain the Champions League, the French championship and other trophies.
Hakimi beat Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah, awarded in 2017 and 2018, and Nigerian Victor Osimhen, winner in 2023. In 2024, the award had gone to’Atalanta’s Nigerian striker Ademola Lookman.
Hakimi, who is out of action due to an ankle injury, said during the ceremony that he hoped to be able to lead the Moroccan national team at the African Cup of Nations, which begins Dec. 21. Another Moroccan player, Yassine Bonou, took home the award for best goalkeeper.
