Lagos, Nigeria – Achraf Hakimi, di Moroccan defender wey play for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), don emerge as di leading contender for di Balon d’Oro African 2025. Dis award go recognize di best footballer for di continent, and di Confederation of African Football (CAF) go present am for a ceremony wey dem never confirm di date yet.
At 26 years old, Hakimi don show sey him na one of di brightest stars for di football world, shining for both hin club and hin national team, di Atlas Lions of Morocco. Di current season don see am deliver impressive numbers, with 6 goals and 10 assists, including a last-minute goal against Arsenal during di UEFA Champions League dis Wednesday.
Hakimi skillful play no just dey reflected for hin statistics, but also for hin role as di captain of di Moroccan team, where him dey inspire di next generation of African talents. Luis Enrique, di PSG coach, don highly praise Hakimi, saying, “I never work with any right-back wey get di kind abilities wey Hakimi gɛt. Him dey shine for di pitch and get plenty potential wey still dey unfold.”
Hakimi dey face competition from notable players like Ademola Lookman, di Nigerian winger wey score hat-trick for di Europa League final with Atalanta, and Serhou Guirassy, wey dey perform well for Borussia Dortmund. But di consistency wey Hakimi don show, plus hin leadership during di Olympics wey give Morocco bronze and hin contribution for di qualifiers for di Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2025 and di World Cup, put am ahead of di pack.
With accolades and recognition coming from various corners, Hakimi dey set to cement hin legacy as one of di best players wey Africa don produce. As di CAF dey prepare for di Balon d’Oro ceremony, all eyes go dey on di Moroccan to see if e go carry di prestigious award home.
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