Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi was crowned African Footballer of the Year, securing an impressive 533 points—more than double the combined tally of his closest rivals. Mohamed Salah placed second with 317 points, while Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen finished third with 240 points, despite a remarkable season with Galatasaray where he claimed the Turkish double and emerged as top scorer.
While Hakimi’s win was celebrated across North Africa, Nigerian discourse quickly shifted to the conduct of its voting delegates.
Super Eagles legend Daniel Amokachi, who served as a CAF Technical Expert, has come under fire for ranking Osimhen fifth, awarding him just one point.
On social media, the reaction was swift.
“Amokachi voted Osimhen fifth? Wt* mehn,” a user, Mastermind (@dami_mastermind), wrote.
In contrast, Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle and team captain William Troost-Ekong placed Osimhen first and Hakimi second.
The uproar extended to the women’s category. Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak clinched the Women’s Player of the Year award, with Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade and Esther Okoronkwo placing second and fourth respectively.
While Super Falcons coach Justine Madugu ranked Okoronkwo and Ajibade first and second, Nigerian media representative Samuel Ahmadu placed Okoronkwo third and Ajibade fifth, prompting backlash from Nigerian fans and commentators.
“Ahmadu’s voting is not only spiteful. It is condescending,” said Bimbola Royale (@bimbolaroyale).
Ahmadu also faced scrutiny for ranking award-winning Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie fifth, despite unanimous first-place votes from her coach and teammates. He further placed Flamingos captain Shakirat Moshood fifth in the Women’s Young Player category.
In the Women’s National Team of the Year section, Ahmadu ranked Tanzania first and Nigeria fifth—despite the Super Falcons ultimately winning the award with 106 points, ahead of Morocco.
The voting process itself has come under broader criticism.
One user, Muri (@CarBarZin), observed:
“I see that half of the 54 associations’ coaches, captains and media didn’t vote. Voting should be mandatory… it undermines the credibility of the awards.”
Another analyst, Gboyega Olutade (@G_coachtee), added:
“I have always had my reservations about the voting system… the flaws outweigh the genuineness.”
Some experts suggested that the controversial rankings may have stemmed from a misunderstanding of the voting system.
Sports journalist Solace Chukwu (@TheOddSolace) argued that Ahmadu may have mistakenly cast his ballot in reverse order.
But others dismissed such explanations.
“These decisions clearly stem from deep-seated issues with either the NFF or some Super Falcons players,” said @iamajideabayomi.
The 2025 CAF Awards ceremony, held on November 19 in Rabat, Morocco, featured contributions from national team coaches, captains, CAF Technical Study Group members and media representatives across all 54 CAF member nations. Fan voting applied only to the Goal of the Year category. CAF confirmed that votes were based strictly on performances between January 6 and October 15, 2025.
As online reactions continue to flood Nigerian social media space, many are calling for a review and tighter monitoring of future voting processes to ensure transparency and fairness in honouring Africa’s top football stars.
