Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi, Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah, and Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen have been named as the final three contenders for the 2023 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Player of the Year award, the organization announced Tuesday. The winner will be revealed at a ceremony in Marrakech,Morocco,on December 11.
The selection recognizes a year of standout performances from each player. Hakimi led Morocco to a historic semi-final appearance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, while Salah continues to be a pivotal force for Liverpool and the Egyptian national team. Osimhen spearheaded Napoli’s Serie A title win, becoming the league’s top scorer – the first African to achieve the feat – with 26 goals. This is the first time all three players have been nominated for the prestigious award.
The CAF awards will also recognize achievements in other categories, including Women’s Player of the Year, Interclub Player of the Year, and Coach of the Year. The awards ceremony aims to celebrate African footballing excellence and inspire future generations of players.