Victor Osimhen returns as a challenger and potential winner of the Annual CAF Player of the Year Award 2025

The extraordinary impacts of Victor Osimhen in the Turkey league with Galatasaray and Nigeria National team has earned a nomination for the CAF African player of the year, which he won two years ago before dethronement by another Nigerian maestro, Ademola Lookman.

The Confederation of African Football has unveiled the nominees in the men’s categories for the CAF Awards 2025, celebrating the continent’s top performers among players, coaches, clubs, and national teams.

The awards recognise the impact of players and coaches on African and global football during the period from January 6 to October 15, 2025. The nominations highlight those who have made major contributions to the sport across the continent.

According to a statement posted on the CAF website on Monday, a panel of experts, including members of the CAF Technical & Development Committee, experienced coaches, CAF Legends, and selected media representatives, selected 10 nominees for each category, considering performances across all competitions.

Cameroon’s Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah headline the list after commanding seasons with Napoli and Liverpool, respectively, as well as with their national teams.

Other notable nominees include Fiston Mayele (DR Congo/Pyramids), whose prolific scoring powered his club to the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League title, Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/PSG), Victor Osimhen (Nigeria/Galatasaray), and Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal/Everton).

Andre Frank Zambo-Anguissa (Cameroon/Napoli)

Fiston Mayele (DR Congo/Pyramids)

Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool)

Denis Bouanga (Gabon/Los Angeles FC)

Serhou Guirassy (Guinea/Borussia Dortmund)

Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/Paris Saint-Germain)

Oussama Lamlioui (Morocco/RS Berkane)

Victor Osimhen (Nigeria/Galatasaray)

Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal/Everton)

Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal/Tottenham Hotspur)