Mustapha Hadji names Achraf Hakimi as 2026 Africa award favourite and picks George Weah as greatest

Mustapha Hadji believes Achraf Hakimi is the leading contender for Africa’s top individual prize in 2026, while selecting George Weah as the greatest player in the continent’s history.

The former Morocco international won the African Player of the Year award in 1998 after an outstanding year that included the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup.

Hadji was asked to identify this year’s likely winner and initially said the decision remained difficult because of the controversy surrounding the Africa Cup of Nations final.

“This is a very difficult question, especially given the crisis that happened in the Africa Cup of Nations final, so the award has not been decided yet,” Hadji said in an interview with Kooora.

He then pointed to Hakimi’s achievements with Paris Saint-Germain as a reason for placing the defender ahead of his rivals.

“Looking at other competitions, it can be said that Achraf Hakimi has an advantage because he won the UEFA Champions League and almost every competition he entered,” he added.

Hakimi enjoyed a highly successful season with the French club, helping them win Ligue 1, the domestic super cup, the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Super Cup.

The Morocco defender also reached the Africa Cup of Nations final with his national team. The identity of the champions is still awaiting a decision from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Hakimi finished 13th in the 2026 Ballon d’Or rankings for the world’s best player.

Weah chosen ahead of Salah, Eto’o and Drogba

Hadji selected Liberia legend George Weah when asked to name the best African player of all time.

“That is also a difficult question, but I choose George Weah,” he said.

Asked why Weah stood above other African greats such as Mohamed Salah, Samuel Eto’o and Didier Drogba, Hadji highlighted the former striker’s historic individual honour and his own experience of facing him.

“Weah was the first African player to win the Ballon d’Or as the best player in the world. I played against him, and I believe he is the king of African football,” Hadji said.

Hadji therefore gave Weah the highest place in his personal ranking of African footballers, despite the achievements of Salah, Eto’o and Drogba.