Hakimi doesn't need to win the Club World Cup for him to beat Victor Osimhen and Mohamed Salah in the race for the African Player of the Year award because the treble Hakimi won with PSG this season, which includes the UEFA Champions League trophy, is enough for Hakimi to edge Victor Osimhen and Mohamed Salah to win the African Player of the Year award. Even though I am a Nigerian, if I am allowed to vote for the next African Player of the Year award, I will vote for Hakimi because he deserves to win it.
For everyone that watched football in the previous season should know how good the three players were. They all won a trophy for their club, but only one ended up winning trophies, and was a very key figure in his team despite playing a defensive role. If he was an attacking player, he might have even done better. But that doesn't change the fact that he did the needful when they needed him the most.
I think he's winning it not just because he deserves it, but because he worked harder and won more trophies with his team. This shouldn't even be a debate. Not sure though, but it looks like he is still one of the major favorites for the next award considering how well his club has placed itself right now.