Morocco and PSG roving right back Achraf Hakimi was recently named thee 2025 African Footballer of the Year at thr CAF Awards on home soil.
Hakimi becomes the first Moroccan to win the highly esteemed accolade since Mustapha Hadji in 1998. The achievement feels even more special knowing the right back narrowly missed out on the award after reaching the top three in 2023 and 2024.
After beating stiff competition from Mohammed Salah and Victor Oshimen, Hakimi believes Morocco can win the AFCON trophy.
“We believe that if we do our best we can win the AFCON trophy,” Hakimi said.
“I would like to thank my physiotherapists and those that support me in this difficult period of fighting back to full fitness,” he added.
Hakimi got injured after being scythed down by Luis Diaz in the Champions League encounter as they took on Bayern Munich.
The injury comes in at a tough time as Morocco prepare for the highly anticipated AFCON that is set to kick of on Sunday, December 21.
While hosting the campaign on home soil, Morroco will be the center of attention and they seek to end the trophy drought that spans all the way from 1976.
Can Hakimi make it to the upcoming AFCON only time can tell as he continues with his rehabilitation.
