Pépé backs Pape Gueye for African Player of the Year award against defending champion Hakimi

Nicolas Pépé has taken a stance in the race for the African Player of the Year by naming Pape Gueye as his favorite to succeed Achraf Hakimi, with the award ceremony scheduled for December 7 in Lagos, Nigeria.

The Ivory Coast international highlighted an impressive record: best African player in La Liga this season, Africa Cup of Nations winner with Senegal and scorer of the only goal in the final. “Pape Gueye was the best African player of the season in La Liga, he won the Africa Cup of Nations, he scored in the final and he is performing well. If he wins it, it’s totally deserved! We haven’t talked about it, he doesn’t talk too much about all that,” said the former Lille and Marseille striker.

This position reignites the debate around the trophy contenders. Defending champion Achraf Hakimi remains a strong competitor: the PSG right-back won a second consecutive Ligue des Champions this season, consolidating his status as a reference on the continent.

Less exposed in the media than the Moroccan, Pape Gueye nevertheless embodies a successful season on two fronts — club and country. For Pépé, this double success is enough to make him a legitimate candidate, even the favorite. It remains to be seen whether the CAF Awards voters will share this view when they decide on December 7.