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With the 2024/25 football season drawn to a close across many leagues and a new calendar set to begin in August, football pundits are already drawing comparisons on who should be Africa’s Men’s Player of the Year.
Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, who won the trophy in 2023 is very much in the news again with his exploits with Galatasaray Football Club of Turkey in the just concluded season.
The Super Eagles lethal striker was announced the Golden Boot winner in the Turkish Super League, helping Galatasaray FC to emerge champions.
Osimhen scored 26 goals as Galatasaray claimed their 25th league title. He was also named the Player of the Season in the Turkish league.
The Esan, Edo State-born lanky footballer registered 37 goals and eight assists in all competitions, helping his side to clinch the domestic double, winning both the league and the Turkish Cup.
The Nigerian forward is widely rated as one of Europe’s finest strikers this season, with top clubs such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Juventus, and Chelsea reportedly eyeing him.
This is not ruling out Galatasaray, who are keen on retaining his services, aiming to build their team around him next season.
As permutations on who should be crowned Africa’s best men’s player of the year continues to gain momentum, what stands Osimhen out in season is his resilience and outstanding performance which has put him in contention for a second CAF Men’s Player of the Year award.
However, there are other African footballers who also achieved remarkable feats in the season.
Hence, Osimhen faces stiff rivalry from other players such as Achraf Hakimi, and Mohammed Salah, who also had exceptional campaigns, and are also in the race for the crown.
Hakimi won the UEFA Champion League trophy with PSG, besides securing The Trophee des Champion, the French Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France in the same season.
The Moroccan fullback who finished second to Ademola Lookman in the 2024 CAF awards, this season has won quadruple, and is in the race for the crown.
He was instrumental to PSG winning the Champions League against Inter Milan, scoring one of the goals.
With nine goals and 14 assists, Hakimi’s attacking output is phenomenal for a right-back, and he is favourite for the 2025 CAF Men’s Player of the Year crown.
Also on the block is Mohamed Salah with yet another outstanding season, winning the Premier League, Golden Boot, and Playmaker Award.
The Egyptian scored 29 goals and provided 18 assists in the just concluded EPL season, and finished the season with a staggering 34 goals and 23 assists in all competitions.
Besides emerging as the 2025 EPL highest goal scorer, Salah also became the fifth-highest goal scorer in Premier League history, with 186 goals.
Another African player that merits mention for the award is Serhou Guirassy. The Guinean striker had an incredible season and was instrumental for Borussia Dortmund.
He ended the Champions League campaign as the joint-top scorer, with 13 goals, sharing the Golden Boot with Raphinha.
In the Bundesliga, Guirassy scored 21 goals and had 10 assists across all competitions.
Despite Dortmund’s poor overall form, Guirassy’s contributions helped the club finish strong, going unbeaten in their last eight matches to secure Champions League qualification.
His hat-trick against Barcelona in the knockout stage was a career-defining performance.
Who in your rating is most qualified to be crowned African Men’s Player of the Year 2025?
