Daijiworld Media Network - Paris

Paris, Nov 20: Rabat witnessed a landmark moment on Wednesday as Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi was crowned African Footballer of the Year at the 2025 CAF Awards, becoming the first defender in more than five decades to claim the continent’s highest individual honour. The Moroccan full-back edged past global icons Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen after a spectacular season with PSG that saw him lift the Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France and UEFA Super Cup.

Hakimi’s triumph marks Morocco’s return to the top of African football’s elite individual awards for the first time since Mustapha Hadji achieved the feat in 1998. His win also ends a 52-year wait for a defender to be recognised, the last being Zaire’s Bwanga Tshimen in 1973.

An emoti

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