The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially announced its highly anticipated ten-man shortlist for the prestigious 2025 African Footballer of the Year award. The competition is expected to be fiercely contested, featuring football icons such as Mohamed Salah of Liverpool, Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint-Germain, and Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray. Notably, reigning titleholder Ademola Lookman did not make the list following a challenging spell with Atalanta.

The CAF shortlist celebrates the continent’s finest talents, highlighting players who delivered exceptional performances for both club and country over the past year. It presents a perfect blend of established superstars and rising forces shaping the future of African football.

• Achraf Hakimi (Morocco, PSG – €80m)

At just 26, Achraf Hakimi stands out as one of Africa’s most complete right-backs in recent history. His blistering pace, tactical awareness, and seamless transition from defence to attack have made him indispensable for both Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco. In a season that saw PSG reconfigure its attacking setup post-Mbappé, Hakimi frequently emerged as a creative spark, contributing an impressive 11 goals and 15 assists across 88 appearances in all competitions. For Morocco, he remains the heartbeat of the team — a leader and tactical orchestrator whose influence defines their style of play.

• Victor Osimhen (Nigeria, Galatasaray – €75m)

After his stellar exploits at Napoli, Victor Osimhen’s move to Galatasaray has only amplified his stardom. The Nigerian striker has been in sensational form, netting 29 goals in 44 games, and quickly becoming a fan favourite in Istanbul. His relentless energy, clinical finishing, and aerial dominance were crucial in Galatasaray’s domestic double triumph. For Nigeria, Osimhen remains the spearhead of their World Cup qualifying campaign, embodying African firepower and elite-level consistency.

• Serhou Guirassy (Guinea, Borussia Dortmund – €45m)

  

Serhou Guirassy’s season is a testament to patience and precision. His tally of 10 goals in 26 matches for Borussia Dortmund might not immediately stand out, but context tells the story, many of those strikes came in crucial Bundesliga and Champions League fixtures.Transitioning from Stuttgart’s talisman to Dortmund’s reliable No. 9, Guirassy’s quiet intelligence and clinical efficiency underline his value as a forward who elevates everyone around him.

• Mohamed Salah (Egypt, Liverpool – €45m)

  

Even at 33, Mohamed Salah continues to defy time and expectations. With 61 goals and 34 assists across 106 appearances, the Liverpool legend remains the creative and scoring heartbeat of his club. Despite the rise of younger stars, Salah’s leadership and composure in high-stakes matches remain unmatched. For Egypt, he continues to bear the nation’s hopes for qualification, a responsibility he carries with characteristic grace. Regardless of the final result, Salah endures as Africa’s enduring football standard-bearer.

• Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal, Tottenham – €35m)

  

Tottenham’s 23-year-old midfielder Pape Matar Sarr has enjoyed a breakout year in North London. With his blend of tactical discipline, composure, and vision, he’s fast becoming one of Europe’s most complete box-to-box players. Although his four goals and two assists tell only part of the story, Sarr’s influence in maintaining Tottenham’s midfield rhythm is profound. For Senegal, he has seamlessly stepped into the void left by Idrissa Gueye, symbolizing the nation’s next generation of footballing brilliance.

• Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal, Everton – €35m)

  

Iliman Ndiaye, the Senegalese winger electrifying Everton’s attack, combines chaos with artistry. His three goals and six assists may seem modest, but his fearless dribbling and direct style have revitalized Everton’s right flank. Within the national team, his partnership with Pape Matar Sarr injects unpredictability and flair into Senegal’s offense, a sign of a vibrant new attacking era for the Teranga Lions.

• Frank Anguissa (Cameroon, Napoli – €27m)

  

Frank Anguissa remains one of the most dependable midfield generals in Serie A. With five goals and two assists in 66 matches, his presence for Napoli extends beyond statistics, he is the glue holding transitions together and shielding the backline with relentless energy. For Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions, Anguissa has evolved into a modern midfield leader, combining physicality with composure and tactical intelligence.

• Denis Bouanga (Gabon, LAFC – €8m)

  

In the MLS, Denis Bouanga has been a revelation for Los Angeles FC. The Gabonese forward netted 16 goals and seven assists in 49 appearances, showcasing the global reach of African footballing excellence. Bouanga’s heroics made him a cult figure in Los Angeles and a beacon for African players thriving outside Europe. His performances almost propelled Gabon to their first-ever World Cup qualification and at 30, he’s arguably at his peak.

• Fiston Mayele (DR Congo, Pyramids FC – €1.8m)

  

Though not based in Europe, Fiston Mayele has been instrumental in elevating Pyramids FC to new heights in both the Egyptian Premier League and CAF Confederation Cup. With five goals and two assists in 30 appearances, his leadership and tireless work rate transcend the numbers. Mayele’s inclusion in this elite lineup underscores that African excellence is not confined to Europe’s top leagues.

• Oussama Lamlioui (Morocco, RS Berkane – €700k)

  

Six goals in just six matches were enough for Oussama Lamlioui to earn his spot on the shortlist. The RS Berkane striker’s lethal finishing and intelligent off-the-ball movement have made him one of Morocco’s brightest domestic talents. Lamlioui’s rise is symbolic of Morocco’s deepening talent pool, proof that homegrown players continue to flourish within the nation’s leagues.

Predicting the Final Rankings

Who will ultimately lift the golden trophy? CAF voters traditionally weigh impact on both club and country, prioritizing continental success, consistency, and leadership.

Predicted top ten: rating with more chance of winning as the list goes down.

Oussama Lamlioui (Morocco) – Brilliant domestically but lacks continental exposure.

Fiston Mayele (DR Congo) – Inspirational, though limited visibility outside Africa may hinder his chances.

Denis Bouanga (Gabon) – Exceptional in MLS, yet CAF voters rarely look to Western leagues.

Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal) – Electrifying, though still seeking consistency at elite level.

Frank Anguissa (Cameroon) – A powerhouse, but often overshadowed by flashier attackers.

Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal) – A star in the making, still maturing toward global superstardom.

Serhou Guirassy (Guinea) – Consistent, yet lacking major silverware.

Mohamed Salah (Egypt) – Eternal brilliance, though CAF may seek a fresher narrative.

Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) – Dominant for club and country; redefining the modern African striker.

Achraf Hakimi (Morocco) – The man of the moment. His world-class performances for PSG and Morocco make him the clear favourite to succeed Ademola Lookman and become the first Moroccan to win the CAF African Footballer of the Year award since Mustapha Hadji (1998).