The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially unveiled the nominees for the CAF Awards 2025, spotlighting the finest players, coaches, and clubs across the continent. The announcement, which covers performances from 6 January to 15 October 2025, recognises outstanding contributions to African football — both on home soil and abroad.
A panel made up of CAF Technical & Development Committee members, CAF Legends, top coaches, and selected media professionals assessed player and coach performances across all competitions to shortlist ten nominees per category.
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Men’s Player of the Year: Osimhen Joins Continental Elite
Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, who has enjoyed a stellar season at Turkish champions Galatasaray, stands proudly among Africa’s elite nominees. The reigning African Footballer of the Year faces stiff competition from Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool), Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Cameroon/Napoli), and Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/Paris Saint-Germain).
Also on the list is Fiston Mayele (DR Congo/Pyramids FC), whose prolific scoring propelled his side to CAF Champions League glory. Other notable names include Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal/Everton), Denis Bouanga (Gabon/LAFC), and Serhou Guirassy (Guinea/Borussia Dortmund).
This year’s race promises to be one of the fiercest in recent memory, with Nigerian fans eager to see Osimhen repeat his 2023 triumph.
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Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Nwabali Earns Deserved Recognition
Nigeria’s Stanley Nwabali has been rewarded for his remarkable performances for Chippa United and the Super Eagles, earning a place among the ten nominees for Goalkeeper of the Year.
The list also features Yassine Bonou (Morocco/Al Hilal), Ronwen Williams (South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns), and Andre Onana (Cameroon/Trabzonspor) — all celebrated for their composure and heroics on the international stage.
Nwabali’s nomination caps an outstanding year for the shot-stopper, whose consistency has made him one of Africa’s most reliable goalkeepers.
Men’s Interclub Player of the Year: Continental Stars Shine Bright
CAF’s interclub category celebrates players who dominated the continent’s club competitions. Egyptian giants Pyramids FC and Moroccan powerhouse RS Berkane dominate the shortlist, thanks to their deep runs in CAF tournaments.
Among the nominees are Blati Touré (Burkina Faso/Pyramids FC), Issoufou Dayo (Burkina Faso/RS Berkane), Oussama Lamlioui (Morocco/RS Berkane), and Emam Ashour (Egypt/Al Ahly) — all key performers in continental competitions.
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Men’s Coach of the Year: Africa’s Tactical Minds Recognised
CAF’s top coaching award sees a mix of seasoned tacticians and emerging strategists. Walid Regragui (Morocco), who continues to inspire his national side, headlines the nominations alongside Bubista (Cape Verde), Hossam Hassan (Egypt), and Pape Thiaw (Senegal).
Club coaches like Krunoslav Jurcic (Pyramids FC) and Moine Chaabani (RS Berkane) also earned recognition for guiding their teams through impressive continental campaigns.
Men’s Young Player of the Year: Africa’s Future on Display
The youth category highlights Africa’s next generation of stars. Among them is Nigeria’s Daniel Bameyi (Primorje), who has continued his steady rise since captaining Nigeria’s Flying Eagles.
He joins Asharaf Tapsoba (Burkina Faso/Real du Faso), Abdellah Ouazane (Morocco/Ajax), and South African talents Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates) and Tylon Smith (Queens Park Rangers) as emerging talents destined for greater heights.
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Men’s National Team of the Year: African Giants Compete for Glory
This year’s national team category is a celebration of Africa’s most consistent sides. Powerhouses Morocco, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and Cape Verde headline the nominees following strong performances in major tournaments and qualifiers.
Men’s Club of the Year: Africa’s Best in Focus
The continent’s club football excellence is represented by a mix of traditional heavyweights and rising forces. Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, RS Berkane, and Pyramids FC are recognised for their dominance across competitions.
They are joined by CR Belouizdad (Algeria), ASEC Mimosas (Côte d’Ivoire), and Simba SC (Tanzania) — clubs that continue to raise the standard of African football.
Nigeria’s Presence Reflects a Growing Influence
Nigeria’s multiple nominations — led by Victor Osimhen, Stanley Nwabali, and Daniel Bameyi — underscore the country’s growing strength in both local and international football. Their performances have not only inspired fans but also reinforced Nigeria’s place as one of Africa’s football powerhouses.
The CAF Awards 2025 ceremony will honour the winners later this year, bringing together the continent’s best talents for a night of celebration and pride.
