Paris Saint-Germain’s Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi has been awarded the 2025 Marc Vivien-Foe Prix for the best African player in the French Ligue 1.

Hakimi played a significant role in steering PSG to dominate and lift the French top-flight title this season and they are still in contention for a treble with the French Cup and the UEFA Champions League finals still to come.

The 2024 CAF African Player of the Year finalist saw off close competition from Senegal’s Habib Diarra (Strasbourg) and Ivory Coast’s Evann Guessand (OGC Nice) to succeed last year’s winner, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

This season, Hakimi has contributed six assists and four goals in 24 Ligue 1 games for Luis Enrique’s side and he will be focused on closing the league on a high when PSG host Auxerre on Saturday, May 17.

Saturday’s game at the Parc des Princes will see the Parisians lift their third consecutive Ligue 1 in front of home fans.

Since he moved to the French capital from Inter Milan in 2021, Hakimi has won a number of laurels in Paris which are five Ligue 1 titles, three Champions’ Trophy and one French Cup.

Arokodare claims Africa’s Best award in Belgium

In another European country this week, Genk’s Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare claimed the Ebony Shoe for the Best African Player in Belgium.

Arokodare’s lethal goalscoring abilities earned him the coveted individual award after scoring 20 goals as the leading top scorer in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League this season. 

His exploits lifted Genk to the Championship round of the Belgian top-flight where they are currently third behind Royal Union Saint-Gilloise and Club Brugge.

Arokodare’s recognition made him the 34th winner of the annual awards in Brussels, joining the likes of Emmanuel Amokachi, Paul Onuachu, Celestine Babayaro, Godwin Okpara as Nigerians who have won the award. 

He said: “If Tolu who was playing football in Festac, 402 Road or 23 Road or 22 Road, if Tolu can do this and many more, then there’s nothing you cannot do. 

“I also want to say a big thank you to my coach, Thurston Fink. He’s also one of the reasons why I’ve had an exceptional season. I want to say a big thank you to you. Thank you very much for all you’ve done for me.” 

Arokodare’s future has been a subject of questions in the Belgian capital in recent weeks with reported transfer interests from Premier League clubs but it remains to be seen if Genk can hold on to their goalscoring machine.

TORONTO (AP) — Alejandro Kirk hit a three-run home run in the sixth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 on Wednesday night.

Brendon Little (2-0) got four outs for the win, Yariel Rodríguez pitched the eighth and Yimi García finished for his third save in six chances.

Kirk had two hits, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. reached base three times and scored a run as the Blue Jays bounced back from Tuesday’s 11-9 defeat and won for the fifth time in six games.

Rays right-hander Ryan Pepiot (2-5) allowed three runs and six hits in six innings, extending his winless streak to three starts. He walked one and struck out seven.

Pepiot walked Guerrero to begin the sixth before striking out Anthony Santander and George Springer. Daulton Varsho singled and Kirk followed with a 407-foot homer to center.

Kirk came up against reliever Eric Orze in the eighth with runners at second and third, but center fielder Kameron Misner made a sliding catch on Kirk’s sinking liner to end the threat.

Blue Jays right-hander Chris Bassitt allowed one run and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out six.

Misner hit an RBI single off Bassitt in the fourth, but Tampa Bay could have scored more. Misner was tagged out at home plate trying to score from third base on Travis Jankowski’s grounder, and Danny Jansen grounded out to strand a runner.

Key moment

Kirk fell behind 0-2 before homering on Pepiot’s next pitch. The homer was Kirk’s third.

Key stat

The Rays are 6-15 against AL opponents.

Up next

Blue Jays RHP Kevin Gausman (3-3, 3.97 ERA) is scheduled to face Rays RH Zack Littell (2-5, 4.40) in Thursday afternoon’s series finale.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

IMOLA, Italy (AP) — Here’s a guide that tells you what you need to know about Sunday’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. It’s the seventh round of the 2025 Formula 1 season.

How to watch the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix on TV

— In the U.S., on ESPN.

— Other countries are listed here.

What is the Emilia-Romagna GP schedule?

— Friday: First and second practice sessions.

— Saturday: Third practice and qualifying.

— Sunday: Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, 63 laps on the 4.91-kilometer (3.05-mile) Imola circuit. Starts at 9 a.m. ET (1300 GMT).

Where is the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix taking place?

The Imola circuit — officially the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari — is a narrow, old-school circuit which is a favorite with many drivers. It’s a venue with a history of tragedy after three-time F1 champion Ayrton Senna and Austrian driver Roland Ratzenberger were both killed during the 1994 race weekend. Italy is the only country other than the United States with more than one race on the 2025 F1 calendar. The Italian Grand Prix name belongs to Monza, which hosts in September, so this week’s race is named after the Emilia-Romagna region. Imola is in the last year of its contract.

What happened in the last race?

Oscar Piastri extended his standings lead with his third win in a row, taking victory at the Miami Grand Prix. That came after his teammate and title rival Lando Norris went head-to-head with defending champion Max Verstappen and ran off track. Norris had taken valuable points a day earlier by winning the sprint race.

— Oscar Piastri wins at Miami for 3rd straight F1 victory, 4th win of season for championship leader

— Franco Colapinto is back in F1 with Alpine after the team dropped Jack Doohan

— Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes’ resignation came days after police charged brother

— Ferrari frustration mounts as Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc struggle at Miami Grand Prix

— Cadillac F1 makes its entrance as official team at Miami Grand Prix as questions swirl about lineup

Key stats at Imola

6 — The win in Miami was the sixth of Piastri’s career, taking him past teammate Norris’ five career victories. It’s Piastri’s third season in F1, and Norris is in his seventh year.

4 — Piastri can become the first Australian to win four F1 races in a row since Jack Brabham in 1966.

2 — Franco Colapinto has been a mid-season replacement twice now in F1, first with Williams last year and now with Alpine, replacing Pierre Gasly. Just like in 2024, his first race of the year is in Italy.

What they’re saying

“I’ve got good momentum behind me and I’m extremely focused heading into this first race of the European swing of the season.” — Oscar Piastri.

“I am very excited to be going into race week for the first time since December. I am very grateful for this opportunity and now I have to get up to speed and showcase what I am capable of doing in the car.” — Franco Colapinto.

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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing