Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has been shortlisted among the leading contenders for the CAF Player of the Year 2025 award, joining an elite group that includes Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) unveiled the nominees on Thursday, spotlighting Africa’s best performers across various categories including players, coaches, clubs, and national teams.
In the men’s top player category, Osimhen faces stiff competition from Cameroon’s Frank Anguissa, Congo’s Fiston Mayele, Gabon’s Denis Bouanga, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, Morocco’s Oussama Lamlioui, and the Senegalese duo of Iliman Ndiaye and Pape Matar Sarr.
According to CAF, the nominees reflect “those who have made major contributions to football on the continent” between January 6 and October 15, 2025. The selection was made by a panel of experts comprising members of the CAF Technical and Development Committee, experienced coaches, CAF legends, and top media professionals.
Nigeria’s Stanley Nwabali was also recognized, earning a nomination for Goalkeeper of the Year. He will compete against an impressive lineup that includes Yassine Bonou (Morocco/Al Hilal), Ronwen Williams (South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns), Andre Onana (Cameroon/Trabzonspor), and Edouard Mendy (Senegal/Al Ahli), among others.
CAF further announced nominees for categories such as Interclub Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Young Player of the Year, National Team of the Year, and Club of the Year, celebrating the best of African football talent both at home and abroad.
In the Coach of the Year category, Morocco’s Walid Regragui, who guided the Atlas Lions to continental prominence, stands among notable names like Pape Thiaw (Senegal) and Bubista (Cape Verde).
For Young Player of the Year, Nigeria’s Daniel Bameyi joins rising stars such as Asharaf Tapsoba (Burkina Faso) and Houssam Essadak (Morocco), representing the next generation of African talent.
The National Team of the Year nominees include Senegal, Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, and South Africa, while Mamelodi Sundowns, Pyramids FC, and RS Berkane are among the contenders for Club of the Year honors.
The CAF Awards ceremony will recognize the standout contributions of players, teams, and coaches who have elevated African football over the past year, showcasing the depth of talent and competitive spirit across the continent.
What you should know
Victor Osimhen’s nomination for the 2025 CAF Player of the Year comes after another stellar year for the Nigerian striker, who has been a consistent force for both club and country.
A previous Ballon d’Or nominee, Osimhen remains one of Africa’s brightest stars, known for his speed, power, and clinical finishing. The CAF Awards, established to honor excellence in African football, remain one of the continent’s most prestigious events.
This year’s shortlist also reflects a growing balance between established icons like Salah and Hakimi and rising stars reshaping African football’s global impact.
