Glo-CAF Awards: Silver Jubilee Edition Was To Celebrate African Stars – Adenuga

Globacom’s Chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr, (GCON) has said that the Glo-CAF Awards, which Silver Jubilee was held Thursday’s night in Abuja, was packaged to celebrate African footballers achievements over the years. 

He said the award gala has grown exponentially to become the biggest and most prestigious sports award ceremony in Africa.

Adenuga, who was represented by the company’s Coordinator, Business Enterprise Group, Mr. Folu Aderibigbe at the awards gala,  noted that the silver jubilee edition was  “dedicated to honouring our footballers who through the years have been representing the continent and flying the African flag across the world. Through thick and thin, they have made the continent proud and left indelible marks on the sands of time. Unlike the previous editions when only the stars of the past one year were celebrated, tonight, the glory will be shared by all the icons of African football in the past twenty five years.”

Dr. Adenuga also commended African players for their diligence.  He said: “From street soccer to school games, local leagues to continental leagues and world tournaments, African footballers, whether playing on bald pitches with their bare feet or trading tackles in the best turf in any football arena, have always discharged themselves creditably.”

On his part, CAF President, Dr. Issa Hayatou commended Globacom for its support towards the development of African football over the years. He stated that the partnership between Globacom and CAF which began in 2005 has elevated the annual awards gala to a world-class event.

Meanwhile, Nigeria swept more trophies than any other country at the Glo CAF Awards held in Abuja,  the Nigerian capital on Thursday.

This is even as Algerian international and Leicester City of England player, Riyad Mahrez was crowned the new King of African football.

Nigeria stood out with four awards including Woman Player of the Year won for the second time by Asisat Oshoala,  Women’s National Team of the Year picked by the Super Falcons, Most Promising Talent – Kelechi Iheanacho and Youth Player of the Year won by Alex Iwobi.

In each case the Nigerian nominees drew applauses of delight from a packed hall at the Glo-CAF Awards gala held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. even before the final announcement of the winners.

Mahrez,  on his part, dusted 2015 winner, Gabon and Borrussia Dortmund of Germany player, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Sadio Mane of Senegal and Liverpool FC who were also in the hall to became the African Player of the Year.

Mahrez was the Algerian Footballer of the Year in the 2015–16 season, the 2016 PFA Players’ Player of the Year in England, and was a member of the Premier League PFA Team of the Year as he helped Leicester City win the Premier League last year.

He cut his teeth as a youth player for AAS Sarcelles of France and turned pro in 2009 with Quimper, where he played for only one season before moving to Le Havre.  He spent a total of three years at Le Havre.

English side Leicester City signed him on in January 2014,  thus making him a part of the squad that won the Football League Championship and promotion to the Premier League at the end of that season.

Mahrez made his international debut for Algeria same year  playing for his country at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

Other Winners on that Thursday night of glory included Dennis Onyango who won the Africa Player of the Year, based in Africa, the Referee of the Year won by Gambia’s Bakary Gansama, national team of Year won by Uganda, Club of the Year won by Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa and Coach of the Year which went to Pitso Mosimane of Mamelodi Sundowns.

The Football Leader of Year went to President of Guinea Bissau Football Federation, Manuel Lopez Nacimento while the legend awards  went to  Emile Mbonu and Laurent Pokou.

The 2016 CAF Awards was a night of pleasant sights, sound and colour,  spiced with the best of African dance and music,  which even saw an African masquerade on stage,  brought in by the inimitable king of romantic highlife, Flavour.

Nigeria’s sensation, Flavour set the International Conference Centre  gala aflame with the cultural track, “Gbo gan gbom” ,  Tomato Baby, Ada Ada and other hit tracks which kept the audience on their feet.

The event also saw the likes of  African music legend, Femi Kuti ,   Diamond Platinumz of Tanzania, Muffinz from South Africa, Omawumi, Yemi Alade and Reekardo Banks from Nigeria as well as Benin Republic diva, Sessima.