Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has further diminished Victor Osimhen’s chances of winning the 2025 CAF Men’s Footballer of the Year Award, with Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi emerging as the clear favourite and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah maintaining a strong challenge.
Osimhen, the 2023 winner, has endured a difficult year marked by injuries, inconsistency, and the Super Eagles’ disappointing run in the CAF Playoff round.
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Nigeria’s failure to reach the World Cup severely impacts his chances, as CAF voters traditionally lean toward players who shine for both club and country during the award year.
In contrast, Hakimi appears to be in pole position for the prestigious honour.
The Moroccan full-back has had an outstanding season with Paris Saint-Germain, delivering high-level performances across Ligue 1, domestic competitions, and the UEFA Champions League.
Morocco’s successful qualification for the 2026 World Cup further elevates his status, reinforcing his reputation as one of the world’s best right-backs and a leader for the Atlas Lions.
Mohamed Salah also remains firmly in contention. The Liverpool talisman has maintained his elite scoring form, producing decisive contributions in both the Premier League and Europe.
Egypt’s smooth qualification for the 2026 World Cup strengthens his narrative, offering him a more complete continental résumé compared to Osimhen.
His consistency, longevity, and continued impact for the Pharaohs keep him among the favourites.
Osimhen, for his part, enjoyed a strong club season with Galatasaray, finishing as the Turkish league’s top scorer and lifting the league title in his debut campaign.
However, despite scoring eight goals for Nigeria in the ill-fated World Cup qualifiers, the country’s failure to reach the finals leaves him at a significant disadvantage.
While Osimhen’s quality is not in doubt, the momentum ahead of the awards ceremony in Morocco on Wednesday, November 19, appears to favour Hakimi, with Salah not far behind as Africa prepares to crown its 2025 best.
