AFCON 2025
Two-time African Footballer of the Year, El Hadji Diouf, has revealed his pick for the 2025 edition of the prestigious award.
Diouf, now 44, clinched the honour back-to-back in 2001 and 2002 during Senegal’s golden era, earning recognition for his influential performances with the Lions of Teranga.
The former Liverpool forward has now weighed in on who he believes deserves to follow in his footsteps, as the continent awaits the successor to last year’s winner, Ademola Lookman.
Lookman’s sensational hat-trick in the 2023-24 Europa League final propelled Atalanta to European glory and sealed his place among Africa’s elite.
With a wealth of talent in contention — including Mohamed Salah, Victor Osimhen, and Achraf Hakimi — Diouf has named his standout performer.
Salah enjoyed another stellar season for Liverpool, leading them to a Premier League title and netting 29 goals to claim a fourth Golden Boot.
Osimhen, despite a turbulent exit from Napoli, flourished at Galatasaray, helping them to a domestic double with 37 goals across all competitions.
However, Diouf believes the honour should go to Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi.
“This year definitely is Hakimi,” Diouf told ESPN. “I love Salah, but the best player in Africa this season…he won everything, he was magical and was one of the best players for PSG as the captain and second captain.
“I think Hakimi deserves it.”
