Seven African Footballer of the Year winners poised to shape AFCON 2025

As Morocco prepares to kick-start the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 this Sunday, the spotlight will fall on some of the continent’s most celebrated individuals.

Among the headline acts are seven former African Footballer of the Year winners, players whose careers have been defined by consistency at the highest level.  Each arrives in Morocco carrying not only individual honours, but also the weight of expectation from their nations, armed with the experience, leadership and match-winning quality required to tilt a tournament often decided by the finest of margins.

From Hakimi to Aubameyang, there is recognized quality on the show, beginning this Sunday.

The newly crowned African Footballer of the Year headlines the list on home soil. Morocco’s defensive dynamo combines attacking ambition with defensive discipline, and his performances with Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed his status as one of the most complete full-backs in world football. He has turned PSG to a regular trophy winning side and can do same for the Atlas Lions. Hakimi has made a speedy recovery from injury just in time for the tournament, a major boost for the hosts as they look to maximise home advantage. 

Leading the Atlas Lions in front of their supporters, he will be expected to drive Morocco forward while anchoring their defensive structure from the full-back position.

The Atalanta brings flair, speed and versatility to the Super Eagles’ attack. Comfortable on either wing or operating centrally, Lookman thrives in transition, capable of creating and finishing chances with equal authority. This season in Serie A, he has made 11 appearances, scoring two goals, while for Nigeria he has already earned 34 caps and eight goals since 2022. Though Nigeria reached the final in the last edition, Lookman will be hoping to go one better and play a central role in earning a fourth continental triumph for the Super Eagles. His European experience makes him a key weapon even against organised defensive set up at AFCON.

At 26, Victor James Osimhen remains one of Africa’s most devastating forwards. The Galatasaray striker has scored six goals in 12 league appearances this season and has also impressed on the continental stage, emerging as one of the leading scorers in the UEFA Champions League with six goals in four matches. Crowned African Footballer of the Year in 2023, Osimhen brings elite pedigree and relentless intensity to Nigeria’s title push. Since making his senior international debut in 2017, he has recorded 45 caps and 31 goals, underlining his importance as the Super Eagles’ chief attacking weapon.

Egypt’s talisman arrives in Morocco with history and legacy firmly on his shoulders. The Pharaohs’ all-time top scorer with 61 goals in 107 appearances for the record AFCON winners, Salah has endured a challenging season at Liverpool by his own lofty standards — a reality that could sharpen his focus on the continental stage. Twice a finalist at AFCON, suffering heartbreak in 2017 and 2021, the 33-year-old knows this tournament may represent his final and defining opportunity to lift the trophy that has so far eluded him. For Salah, AFCON 2025 could be nothing short of a coronation event, where personal brilliance finally aligns with continental glory.

Algeria’s veteran winger has already left his mark on the continent, piloting the Desert Foxes to AFCON success in 2019, famously defeating Mané’s Senegal in the final. At 34, and having announced that next year’s FIFA World Cup could be his last, this tournament presents Mahrez with a chance to say goodbye to African football on a high note. Mahrez is Algeria’s third all-time top scorer with 34 goals in 107 caps, with only legends Islam Slimani and Baghdad Bounedjah having scored more for the Desert Foxes. The former Manchester City forward will be hoping to marshal all his experience, proving he remains as sharp and influential as he was in 2016, when he was voted African Footballer of the Year. His vision, creativity, and finishing will be central to Algeria’s ambitions in Morocco.

At 36, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is enjoying a resurgence at Olympique de Marseille, having scored eight goals and provided ten assists in 20 matches across all competitions this season. Despite his age, he continues to deliver for Gabon, playing a pivotal role in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, pushing Côte d’Ivoire to the limit and making life difficult for Nigeria in the continental playoffs. While he has been battling injuries in the build-up to AFCON, Aubameyang’s experience, leadership, and attacking instincts are expected to be crucial for Gabon as they aim to compete at the highest level as he did in 2015 to earn the crown of the continent's best.

For the fans, these stars are not just headline names — they are proven match-winners capable of shaping the narrative of a tournament that promises drama, intensity and African football at its finest.

From Hakimi’s mastery to Salah’s coronation quest, AFCON 2025 will be defined by legends turning moments into history.