The prestigious African Player of the Year award, presented by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), celebrates the continent’s most outstanding footballer. As the 2024-2025 season concludes, several African stars have delivered exceptional performances for club and country, making the race for this coveted individual honour intensely competitive.
While the final decision rests with a panel of experts, including technical committee members, media professionals, players, and coaches, we present the compelling cases for some of the leading contenders based on their statistics, achievements, and impact during the past season. It’s up to you, the reader, to weigh the evidence and decide who truly deserves the crown.
Mohamed Salah (Egypt & Liverpool)
“The Egyptian King” continues to defy expectations, maintaining his elite status as one of the world’s most prolific attackers. Salah’s consistent goal-scoring and playmaking abilities have been central to Liverpool’s campaigns, even as the club navigates transitional periods.
- Club (Liverpool) – 2024-2025 Season:
- Appearances (all competitions): 38 (Premier League)
- Goals: 29 (Premier League) – Topped the Premier League scoring charts.
- Assists: 18 (Premier League) – Led the Premier League in assists.
- Key Achievements: Finished as the top scorer and top assist provider in the Premier League, showcasing his dual threat.
- Performance Highlights: Consistently delivered decisive moments, including crucial goals and assists in high-stakes Premier League matches. His ability to create chances for himself and his teammates remained at an exceptionally high level.
- International (Egypt):
- Active in World Cup 2026 Qualifiers and potentially other international fixtures.
Sadio Mané (Senegal & Al Nassr)
Despite a move to the Saudi Pro League, Sadio Mané has continued to showcase his predatory instincts and impactful attacking play. His transition to a new league saw him remain a significant force, contributing consistently to Al Nassr’s offensive efforts.
- Club (Al Nassr) – 2024-2025 Season:
- Appearances (all competitions): 47 (32 in Saudi Pro League)
- Goals: 18 (14 in Saudi Pro League)
- Assists: 14 (11 in Saudi Pro League)
- Key Achievements: Played a vital role in Al Nassr’s attacking setup, forming a formidable partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo. Scored a super hat-trick in a 9-0 victory over Al Okhdood, a significant individual performance highlight.
- Performance Highlights: Maintained a high level of performance, adapting well to the Saudi Pro League. His pace, dribbling, and goal-scoring instincts were consistently on display, proving his continued potency.
- International (Senegal):
- Contributed to Senegal’s World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign.
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco & Paris Saint-Germain)
The dynamic Moroccan right-back has continued to solidify his reputation as one of the best in his position globally. Hakimi’s incredible energy, attacking contributions, and defensive solidity make him indispensable for both club and country.
- Club (Paris Saint-Germain) – 2024-2025 Season:
- Appearances (all competitions): 67 (25 in Ligue 1)
- Goals: 8 (4 in Ligue 1)
- Assists: Contributed significantly with assists, though specific numbers were not highlighted.
- Key Achievements: Integral part of the PSG squad that competed across multiple fronts, including Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League. His attacking threat from defense was consistently among the best in Europe.
- Performance Highlights: Known for his blistering runs down the right flank, intelligent overlapping, and precise crossing. His defensive work rate also remained strong, making him a complete modern full-back. Led Ligue 1 in offensive actions from the third part of the pitch and successful passes from the right wing.
- International (Morocco):
Ademola Lookman (Nigeria & Atalanta)
Ademola Lookman enjoyed a truly breakout year, capped by a historic individual performance that etched his name into European football history. His versatility and clinical finishing proved crucial for Atalanta.
- Club (Atalanta) – 2024-2025 Season:
- Appearances (all competitions): 40 (31 in Serie A)
- Goals: 20 (15 in Serie A, 5 in Europa League)
- Assists: 5 (Serie A)
- Key Achievements:
- UEFA Europa League Winner (2024): Scored a sensational hat-trick in the final against the previously unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen, securing Atalanta’s first-ever European trophy. This made him the first player to score a hat-trick in a European final since 1975.
- Atalanta Player of the Season: For the 2023-2024 season.
- UEFA Europa League Team of the Season: For the 2023-2024 season.
- Serie A Team of the Season: For the 2024-2025 season.
- Performance Highlights: Displayed incredible composure and clinical finishing in big moments, especially in the Europa League. His ability to play across the front line and his high work rate made him a constant threat.
- International (Nigeria):
- Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament (2023): Scored three goals as Nigeria reached the AFCON final, finishing as runners-up.
- Appearances: 29 caps, 8 goals for Nigeria.
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria & Galatasaray – on loan from Napoli)
The powerful Nigerian striker continued his remarkable goal-scoring form, albeit in a new league on loan. Osimhen’s aerial prowess, blistering pace, and predatory instincts in the box consistently make him a handful for defenders.
- Club (Galatasaray, on loan from Napoli) – 2024-2025 Season:
- Appearances (all competitions): 41 (30 in Süper Lig)
- Goals: 37 (26 in Süper Lig, 6 in Europa League, 5 in Turkish Cup)
- Assists: 7
- Key Achievements: Finished as the Süper Lig’s top scorer and won a domestic double (Süper Lig and Ziraat Türkiye Kupası) with Galatasaray.
- Performance Highlights: Maintained his reputation as a prolific number nine, showcasing exceptional finishing and leadership of the attacking line. His loan spell reignited his scoring charts after a challenging 2023-2024 season with Napoli.
- International (Nigeria):
- Key player for Nigeria in World Cup 2026 Qualifiers.
- Appearances: 40 caps, 26 goals for Nigeria.
Serhou Guirassy (Guinea & Borussia Dortmund)
Serhou Guirassy enjoyed a sensational season in the Bundesliga, establishing himself as one of Europe’s most feared strikers. His prolific goal-scoring form earned him a high-profile move to Borussia Dortmund.
- Club (VfB Stuttgart & Borussia Dortmund) – 2024-2025 Season:
- Appearances (all competitions): 30 (Bundesliga)
- Goals: 21 (Bundesliga)
- Assists: 2 (Bundesliga)
- Key Achievements: Finished as one of the top scorers in the Bundesliga, demonstrating remarkable consistency in front of goal. His performances for VfB Stuttgart were instrumental in their successful season, earning him a significant transfer to Dortmund.
- Performance Highlights: Possesses excellent positioning, powerful finishing, and a strong aerial threat. His ability to score from various situations made him a nightmare for opposition defenders.
- International (Guinea):
Each of these African talents has showcased incredible skill, dedication, and impactful performances throughout the 2024-2025 season. The decision for the African Player of the Year will undoubtedly be a challenging one for the voting panel, reflecting the immense talent pool that African football continues to produce.
Who do you think deserves to be crowned the African Player of the Year? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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