CAF Awards 2025: Morocco’s Chebbak Wins Women’s Player Of The Year
2 min read
By Sportsgister
Moroccan midfielder Ghizlane Chebbak has been crowned the 2025 CAF Women’s Player of the Year, edging out Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade and fellow Moroccan Sanaa Mssoudy at the awards ceremony held on Wednesday evening in Rabat, Morocco.
The announcement came as a surprise to many Nigerian fans who had strongly tipped Ajibade, captain of the Super Falcons, to win the prestigious honour following an outstanding year for both club and country.
Last month, the Confederation of African Football unveiled a 10-woman shortlist for the award, featuring Super Falcons duo Esther Okoronkwo and Rasheedat Ajibade.
Others on the list included Portia Boakye, Tabitha Chawinga, Temwa Chawinga, Ghizlane Chebbak, Mama Diop, Sanaa Mssoudy, Barbra Banda, and Racheal Kundananji.
The list was trimmed down to three finalists Ajibade, Chebbak, and Mssoudyon Sunday.
The exclusion of Okoronkwo, widely regarded as one of the standout performers at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), sparked criticism within Nigerian football circles. Okoronkwo had been instrumental in Nigeria’s campaign, particularly in the final against Morocco, earning praise as one of the tournament’s top performers.
Despite the controversy, attention shifted to the grand awards ceremony in Rabat, attended by some of Africa’s biggest football stars and legends.
Ajibade entered the night as one of the favourites, having captained the Super Falcons to their record-extending 10th WAFCON title.
She contributed one goal and two assists and also claimed the Player of the Tournament honour.
At club level, she enjoyed a solid season with Atletico Madrid Feminino, recording seven goals and three assists in 22 league appearances as the club finished third in the Spanish top flight.
However, it was Chebbak who ultimately claimed Africa’s top individual women’s football award.
The Moroccan captain had an impressive WAFCON campaign, scoring five goals, including one against Nigeria in the final, despite the Atlas Lionesses finishing as runners-up.
Her consistent performances, leadership, and attacking influence throughout the year tipped the scales in her favour as she was crowned the new Queen of African Football.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
