Sports
Morocco’s Trio Advance to African Footballer of the Year Shortlist, Salah Missing
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) released a 10‑man shortlist for African Footballer of the Year on December 2, featuring Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi, Brahim Diaz and Ismael Saibari. The trio helped Morocco win the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in January after Senegal walked off the pitch over a disputed penalty, a decision that will be finalised at the end of November. They also guided Morocco to the quarter‑finals of the World Cup, with Saibari scoring three goals and Hakimi one. At club level, Saibari joined Bayern Munich for a €50 million transfer, Diaz continues with Real Madrid, and Hakimi helped Paris Saint‑Germain win a second consecutive Champions League title. In 2025, Hakimi became the first Moroccan since 1998 and the first defender since 1973 to win Africa’s most prestigious award, finishing ahead of Mohamed Salah and Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen. The other nominees include Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast), Yoane Wissa (DR Congo), Antoine Semenyo (Ghana), Ismaila Sarr, Pape Gueye and Sadio Mane (Senegal), and Teboho Mokoena (South Africa). Salah’s absence from the list has drawn attention, as the former Liverpool star, now at Trabzonspor, has won the award twice (2017 and 2018) and was the 2023 winner.
In the coach category, Egypt’s Hossam Hassan and DR Congo’s Sebastien Desabre were nominated for leading their teams to the World Cup round of 16. Morocco’s Mohamed Ouahbi and Walid Regragui were also named for their roles in the World Cup and qualification campaigns, while Cabo Verde’s Pedro Leitao Brito was shortlisted for helping the nation make its World Cup debut.
Goalkeeper nominations feature Vonzinha, who gained global attention after the World Cup, alongside Egyptian pair El‑Mahdi Soliman and Mostafa Shobeir. Yassine Bonou of Morocco remains a strong contender after his performances at the World Cup and AFCON.
The Young Player of the Year shortlist includes Ghana midfielder Caleb Yirenky, Morocco’s Ayoub Bouaddi—who became the first African teenager to play five World Cup matches and was signed by Manchester City in August—and Abdellah Ouazane.
On the women’s side, Cameroon dominated the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) awards. Midfielder Monique Ngock (22) was named player of the tournament, Michaely Bihina was best goalkeeper, and Marie Ngah Manga scored twice in Cameroon’s 3‑0 final win over Malawi. Ngah Manga’s brace tied her for most goals at a WAFCON (five) with Zambia’s Barbra Banda and Malawi’s Temwa Chawinga. All three, along with Chawinga’s sister Tabitha, appear on this year’s shortlist. South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana, who scored four WAFCON goals, is also a top contender. The goalkeeper shortlist includes Bihina and Malawi’s Mercy Sikelo. The Women’s Young Player of the Year shortlist features Cameroon’s Maeva Nyadjou and Malawi’s Rose Kadzere, who scored in her side’s quarter‑final win over Ghana to help secure qualification for the women’s World Cup.