Achraf Hakimi, Crowned Africa’s Youth Player of the Year

Morocco’s and Borussia Dortmund’s defender Achraf Hakimi was crowned Africa’s 2019 Youth Player of the Year.

The consecration was announced at a ceremony hosted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Hurghada, Egypt, Tuesday.

Hakimi expressed pride and happiness to win the “prestigious award.”

“Winning the African Youth Player of the Year is a motivation to win other awards and give a good image of Moroccan football,” he told MAP after the awarding ceremony.

On the possibility of returning to Real Madrid next season, Hakimi said, “I am currently playing for Borussia Dortmund, and at the end of my loan, I will think about it.”

“The most important thing is to honor Moroccan football, it is my ambition”, the Moroccan star said.

Hakimi beat Nigerians Victor Osimhen (Lille) and Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal) to win the award, while, Senegalese striker and Liverpool star Sadio Mane won his first Africa’s 2019 Player of the Year Award.

Achraf Hakimi was chosen along with his countryman Hakim Ziyech (Ajax Amsterdam, Netherlands) in Africa’s 2019 Team of the Year, given their excellent performances with their clubs and with their national team.

The awarding ceremony was attended by the presidents of FIFA and CAF, in addition to several heads of African football federations.