ACHRAF HAKIMI MAKES HISTORY WITH LANDMARK WIN AS THE AFRICAN FOORBALLER OF THE YEAR AT THE 2025 CAF AWARDS

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Paris Saint-Germain's Achraf Hakimi was crowned African Footballer of the Year at the 2025 CAF Awards in Rabat on Wednesday.

Paris Saint-Germain's Achraf Hakimi was crowned African Footballer of the Year at the 2025 CAF Awards in Rabat on Wednesday, becoming the first defender in 52 years to earn the honour as he finished ahead of Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen in the final voteThe Moroccan full-back received the accolade after an outstanding 2025 season with PSG, during which he lifted the Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France and UEFA Super Cup. Hakimi is the first Moroccan player to take the award since Mustapha Hadji in 1998 and the first defender to do so since Zaire's Bwanga Tshimen in 1973.

"It is really a proud moment for me to win this prestigious award. This trophy is not just for me, but all the strong men and women who have dreams of being a footballer in African," Hakimi said.

"And for those that always believed in me since I was a child, that I would be a professional footballer one day. I would like to thank them all."

Morocco also dominated several other categories, with Saudi-based striker Ghizlane Chebbak named Women's Footballer of the Year and Al-Hilal keeper Yassine Bounou taking the Men's Goalkeeper of the Year award.

Nigeria's Chiamaka Nnadozie secured the Women's Goalkeeper of the Year prize for a third consecutive time, following her recent transfer to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Women's Super League.

Cape Verde's Bubista was honoured as Coach of the Year after guiding the small island nation to its first-ever World Cup appearance, set to take place next year in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

- Indo-Asian News Service

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: MONACO SEE OFF ASTON VILLA AS LILLE FALL IN LIVERPOOL

Ligue 1 teams competing in the Champions League on Tuesday night experienced contrasting fortunes in the penultimate games of the group stages.  Monaco ended their dismal run of form with a 1-0 win over Aston Villa while Liverpool beat Lille 2-1 to maintain their 100 percent record in the tournament.

Wilfried Singo scored Monaco's winner against Aston Villa in the Champions League. AP - Laurent Cipriani

"We were in a difficult situation but I have to say compliments to the team. They fought from beginning to the end against a top team from the Premier League. I hope it helps to give them their confidence back."

Monaco were playing their fourth game in a punishing January schedule.

They started their travails on 10 January with a 2-2 draw at Nantes in Ligue 1. They lost their last-32 Coupe de France tie against Reims four days later.

And they went down 2-1 to Montpellier in Ligue 1 on 17 January.

Slump

Monaco host Rennes in Ligue 1 on 25 January before travelling to Italy to face Inter Milan at the San Siro on 29 January in their final game in the group stages.

Lille began the penultimate round of matches in the 36-team division in eighth place – the final berth for automatic qualification to the last-16 knockout stages. 

But they dropped into one of the 16 slots for a play-off place in the last-16 following the setback at Anfield. Mo Salah gave Liverpool the lead in the 34th minute.

On the hour mark, Jonathan David levelled for the visitors who had just been reduced to 10 men after the dismissal of Aissa Mandi for two bookable offences.

But parity lasted only briefly. In the 67th minute, Harvey Elliot restored Liverpool's advantage and the Merseysiders held on to register their seventh successive win and qualification to the knockout stages.

Challenge

On Wednesday night, two more Ligue 1 sides feature in European club football's most prestigious competition. Brest, who are playing in the Champions League for the first time, continue their campaign at Shakhtar Donetsk.

Brest boast 13 points from their six games and go into their seventh match in a far healthier state than Ligue 1 pacesetters Paris Saint-Germain who entertain Manchester City at the Parc des Princes.

PSG, lie 25th with in the division with only seven points from their six games. They have no chance of surging into the top eight places and they are in danger of failing to occupy one of the 16 play-off spots.

Visitors

Manchester City also languish in the table. They are 22nd with eight points and in need of points to progress. 

"We know it will be difficult against Manchester City," said PSG striker Ousmane Dembélé. "We know that it is a crucial game if we want to stay in the Champions League this season so we have to do everything to get the three points."

The game will pit the PSG coach Luis Enrique against his former Barcelona teammate Pep Guardiola. "It will be a  pleasure to see Pep again," said Enrique.

"I don't think anyone would have predicted that either Manchester City or PSG would be in this situation. But here we are.

"This is the reality of the new format of the Champions League. Both teams will deploy their best weapons to get the three points."

- Paul Myers

FRENCH CUP TEAM LOSES 12-0 AMID 8,000-MILE ROUND TRIP

 

Golden Lion proved no match for Ligue 1 side Lille. SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images

Martinique side Golden Lion suffered a humbling 12-0 defeat by Lille in the French Cup on Saturday midway through an 8,000-mile round trip to play the match.

Golden Lion, the champions of Martinique and one of several overseas teams from the French territories to enter the Cup, were drawn against Ligue 1 Lille in the round of 64 and their journey began on Wednesday with a direct flight to Paris.

Three days later, they were no match for Lille, however, as the top-division side recorded their biggest-ever victory.

PAYS DE CASSEL VS. PSG | COUPE DE FRANCE ROUND OF 32