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Join on Telegram Rabat — Achraf Hakimi has made it to the final five for the 2024 CAF “Player of the Year” award and the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star hopes to add the African Ballon d’Or to his growing list of achievements.
“I’m happy with the results of all the hard work I’ve done since I was young. I hope to win this big trophy in my career,” Hakimi said in a feature video published by Telefoot.
The 26-year-old right-back faces tough competition from Ivorian Simon Adingra, Guinean Serhou Guirassy, Nigerian Ademola Lookman, and South African Ronwen Williams.
Walid Regragui, the Moroccan national team’s coach, considers Hakimi among the elite: “For me, he’s the best right-back in the world right now,” Regragui said.
The winner will be revealed tomorrow, December 16, at the CAF Awards in Marrakech.
Hakimi could become the first Moroccan to win the title since Mustapha Hadji in 1998 and would be the first PSG player to win it since George Weah in 1995.
Meanwhile, the first Moroccan to win the award was Ahmed Faras in 1975. Faras was a key player for both Chabab Mohammedia and the Atlas Lions, leading Morocco to victory in the 1976 African Cup of Nations.
In 1985, Mohamed Timoumi won the award after leading FAR Rabat to victory in the African Cup of Champions Clubs. The dribbling playmaker also helped Morocco reach the 1986 World Cup, where they made history by qualifying for the Round of 16.
Badou Zaki, a legendary goalkeeper, won the award in 1986. Zaki was key in Morocco’s World Cup run that same year and remains the only goalkeeper from Morocco to win the award. His success continued at club level with Wydad
Casablanca and Real Mallorca in Spain.
Mustapha Hadji claimed the award in 1998 after his standout performances for Morocco during the 1998 World Cup — scoring a goal against Norway. His technical skills and creativity made him one of Africa’s best during that era.
Tomorrow, Hakimi has the chance to make history.
