Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen will miss tonight’s 2025 CAF Awards in Rabat after being urgently recalled to Istanbul for medical examinations.
The Nigerian forward, one of the three finalists for the African Player of the Year, suffered a hamstring injury during Nigeria’s African playoff final against DR Congo on Sunday.
The discomfort prompted Galatasaray to order an immediate MRI scan to assess the severity of the injury.
Osimhen, who won the CAF Player of the Year in 2023, had been expected to feature prominently at the ceremony but now faces uncertainty over how long he will be sidelined in the 2025–26 season.
The Finalists
Osimhen heads into the awards on the back of a sensational campaign in Turkey. He scored 37 goals in 41 matches, led Galatasaray to a league double, and won the Golden Boot, cementing his reputation as one of Europe’s most prolific forwards.
Osimhen celebrating at Galatasary.Photo Credit; Getty Images
His injury during international duty, however, means he will not be in Rabat to witness the outcome of the award he is vying for.
Mohamed Salah remains a formidable contender after another exceptional season with Liverpool. The Egyptian forward scored 29 goals and provided 18 assists in the Premier League, helping his side secure the English Premier League title.
Salah’s consistency and attacking output keep him firmly in the conversation for Africa’s top individual honour.
Achraf Hakimi completes the trio following a tremendous season with Paris Saint-Germain. He played a pivotal role in PSG’s first-ever UEFA Champions League triumph, also lifting Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France, while reaching the Club World Cup final, where PSG fell to Chelsea.
This season, before suffering a sprained ankle, Hakimi appeared in 21 matches, contributing 4 goals and 5 assists. Last season he played 55 matches, scoring 11 goals and providing 16 assists, underlining his consistency and impact.
Morocco’s defender Achraf Hakimi lies on the lawn during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Round of 16 football match between Morocco and Benin at the Al-Salam Stadium in the Egyptian capital Cairo on July 5, 2019. (Photo by OZAN KOSE / AFP) (Photo credit should read OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)
His stellar performances across domestic and continental competitions place him firmly on the front burner for the 2025 Men’s Player of the Year.
A Tight Race
The contest for this year’s CAF Men’s Player of the Year is considered one of the closest in recent editions. Osimhen’s scoring exploits, league double, and Golden Boot give him a strong claim, though his last-minute withdrawal casts a shadow over the night.
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Salah’s goal-scoring and creative influence, paired with Liverpool’s Premier League title, ensure he remains a top contender.
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Meanwhile, Hakimi’s trophy-laden season, consistency, and contributions both defensively and offensively have propelled him into serious contention.
