Rabat – Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi is attracting growing support ahead of the 2026 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards, with French television channel Canal+ presenters openly backing him to retain the African Player of the Year title.
The discussion took place on Talent d’Afrique, a program dedicated to African football talent, which recently focused on the Paris Saint-Germain defender and Morocco’s national team captain.
During the broadcast, the program organized a public poll through telephone and online voting to assess viewers’ opinions about Hakimi’s standing among African footballers. The Moroccan reportedly secured more than half of the votes, prompting presenters to question why CAF should wait until its December ceremony in Lagos to announce him as the winner.
Their enthusiasm reflects a season in which Hakimi has continued to demonstrate why he is considered one of the most influential attacking full-backs in world football.
The season’s detail
At Paris Saint-Germain, the 27-year-old played an important role in another successful European campaign, helping the French champions retain the UEFA Champions League in May 2026.
He started the final against Arsenal in Budapest, where PSG secured a 4-3 victory in the penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw. Hakimi also converted his penalty, adding another major European honor to his growing collection.
His contribution was not limited to his defensive responsibilities. Across the 2025-2026 campaign, the Moroccan registered three goals and eight assists in 32 appearances in all competitions.
His Champions League performances were particularly notable, with seven goal contributions, consisting of one goal and six assists, in 13 appearances. Those numbers underline his ability to influence attacking situations from a position that does not traditionally produce the same statistics as forwards and attacking midfielders.
Hakimi’s international performances have further strengthened his position. He captained Morocco during a historic 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, with the Atlas Lions reaching the quarter-finals for a second consecutive tournament.
Other players in the race
Ghanaian forward Antoine Semenyo enjoyed an impressive domestic campaign, scoring 17 Premier League goals while representing Bournemouth and Manchester City. His attacking output gives him a strong argument, particularly in a season when goalscoring forwards have attracted considerable attention.
Senegal’s Sadio Mané is another major contender. The experienced forward continues to represent one of Africa’s most recognizable football figures, while compatriots Pape Gueye and Ismaila Sarr have also earned recognition following their contributions at the club and international levels.
Morocco also has additional representatives in the race. Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz and PSV Eindhoven midfielder Ismael Saibari join Hakimi on the shortlist, giving the country three candidates for the prestigious award.
Egyptian star Mohamed Salah, who won the African Player of the Year award in 2017 and 2018, also remains an important reference point in discussions about the continent’s leading players, although he is not among the 2026 nominees.
Ultimately, Hakimi’s strongest argument is the combination of individual consistency, European success, and international influence. While other candidates can point to impressive attacking statistics, few can match his achievements across club and national-team football during the assessment period.
Having won the 2025 African Player of the Year award, the Moroccan now has an opportunity to establish himself further among the continent’s greatest players.
The CAF Awards ceremony will take place in Lagos, Nigeria, on December 7, where Hakimi will discover whether he has done enough to retain his crown.
