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.
Man Hakimi fully deserves the Africa best this season, man has been doing great for his Nation and club success also. Those trophies PSG won he was highly instrumental and while the other two did great both in Club and Country notably Salah who was once stealing headlines as Ballon d'Or favorites among others but slowing went down since his club were only able to lift the EPL. Also, we can't ignore Liverpool got eliminated from the Champions League by PSG.
Osimhen was unfortunate to be outside Europe and the Nigeria team didn't contribute much to this even after all his effort, we are still fighting for our world cup qualifier. These are among things put into consideration and that's why I can say as ironic as it seems Hakimi deserves it.