Hakimi Among 5 African Ballon d'Or Winners in AFCON Semifinals

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations semifinals will feature a remarkable event, reflecting the significant technical value of the tournament, as prominent players who have achieved individual glory in Africa in recent years have gathered.

The final four will include five players who have been crowned African Player of the Year, led by Achraf Hakimi, who won the title in 2025, thus maintaining a strong Moroccan presence on the continental stage.

Alongside Hakimi, the lineup includes Ademola Lookman, the winner in 2024; Victor Osimhen, crowned in 2023; Sadio Mané, who claimed the title in 2019 and 2022; and finally, Mohamed Salah, who won the African Player of the Year award in 2017 and 2018.

The convergence of five African Player of the Year winners at this stage grants the competition an exceptional dimension, making the semifinals a platform that encapsulates years of individual brilliance both within and outside the continent.