The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has named Morocco and Al Hilal Ladies forward Ghizlane Chebbak as the CAF African Women’s Footballer of the Year 2025, marking a major milestone in the celebrated career of the Atlas Lionesses star.

 

The announcement was made on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, during an elaborate CAF Awards ceremony held at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Rabat. Chebbak beat fellow finalists Sanaa Mssoudy and Nigeria’s Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade, who had led Nigeria to the nation’s 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title last July.

 

A Highly Competitive Field

 

Before the final shortlist of three was released, CAF had earlier nominated a star-studded field that included Nigeria’s Ajibade and Esther Okoronkwo, Zambia’s Barbara Banda (the immediate past African Best Player), Ghana’s Portia Boakye, Malawi’s prolific sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga, Senegal’s Mama Diop, Morocco’s Chebbak and Mssoudy, and Zambia’s Racheal Kundananaji.

 

CAF selectors—made up of members of the CAF Technical Committee, African football legends, media professionals, national team coaches, and captains—voted overwhelmingly in favour of Chebbak.

 

Why Chebbak Prevailed

 

Although the decision drew mixed reactions, especially from Nigerian fans who anticipated Ajibade or Okoronkwo among the final contenders, CAF’s selection committee cited Chebbak’s exceptional consistency and impact over the past two years.

 

Chebbak was instrumental in Morocco’s back-to-back WAFCON runner-up finishes in 2022 and 2024, and her brilliance carried over into the 2025 edition, where Morocco reached the final for the second straight time.

 

The forward emerged as Topscorer at the 2025 WAFCON, netting five goals. Only Senegal’s Nguenar Ndiaye came close with four, while Morocco’s Ibtissam Jraïdi, Nigeria’s Chinwendu Ihezuo, and Zambia’s duo of Barbara Banda and Racheal Kundananji followed with three goals each.

 

Her influence on matches was so significant that many observers coined the term “The Chebbak Effect” to describe her ability to change games and carry Morocco through difficult moments.

 

Beyond her performances, Chebbak’s individual accolades gave her an edge. She earned a place in the CAF Women’s Africa XI (2024) and was named in the FIFA FIFPro Women’s World 11 (2025)—two major milestones that strengthened her claim to the continental crown.

 

Ajibade and Mssoudy: Strong but Outpaced

 

Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade, who lifted the 2025 WAFCON trophy and won Player of the Tournament with three Woman of the Match (WOTM) awards, was widely expected to challenge for the top honour. However, CAF’s voting body leaned on a broader evaluation of performances across multiple competitions and seasonal consistency.

 

Similarly, Morocco’s Sanaa Mssoudy had a standout season but ultimately could not match the depth of Chebbak’s overall contributions and accolades.

 

The Okoronkwo Debate

 

One of the most contentious talking points among journalists and fans was the absence of Nigeria’s Esther Okoronkwo from the final shortlist.

 

The AFC Toronto forward delivered one of the most influential individual campaigns at the 2025 WAFCON. From the quarter-final stage, she became Nigeria’s talisman—scoring, creating assists, and producing dominant displays against top teams including Zambia’s star-studded Copper Queens.

 

Her performance in the WAFCON final against Morocco—where she scored from the spot and provided the decisive assist in Nigeria’s 3–2 victory—earned widespread acclaim. In six games, she tallied six assists and a crucial goal, alongside two WOTM awards.

 

Many journalists who covered the tournament argued that Okoronkwo’s consistency and match-winning impact should have earned her both Player of the Tournament and a place among the final three nominees for Africa’s top individual honour.

 

A Deserved Crown for Morocco’s Icon

 

Despite differing opinions, CAF’s official selection stands: Ghizlane Chebbak is the African Women’s Footballer of the Year 2025.

 

Her sustained brilliance, leadership, and decorated list of individual accolades have cemented her as one of Africa’s most influential footballers of her generation.

 

And while superstars like Ajibade, Mssoudy, and Okoronkwo continue to rise and compete at the pinnacle of African women’s football, 2025 ultimately belongs to Ghizlane Chebbak—a player who continues to redefine excellence for Morocco and for the continent.