Glo-CAF Awards: Hayatou hails Globacom

Victor Osimhen

Victor Osimhen receives his award

Taiwo Adelu

Victor Osimhen receives his award
Victor Osimhen receives his award

President of Confederation of African Football (CAF), Dr. Issa Hayatou has described the relationship between CAF and the sponsor of Glo-CAF Awards as a positive one that has added value to the game on the continent.

Globacom, a leading telecommunication company in Nigeria, has been the sponsor of the awards to honour deserving players, coaches and administrators in Africa since 2005.

The 2015 Glo-CAF Awards was held Thursday night at the International Conference Center in Abuja.

Speaking during the ceremony, Hayatou, who is also the Acting President of FIFA remarked that the Glo-CAF Awards had become a world class event since 2005 when the partnership with Globacom on the Awards began.

He noted that this relationship “perfectly portrays a successful union between a first-class sports organization and a global brand untied in a common determination: to elevate African football and celebrate Africa.”

Globacom’s Chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr, (GCON), in his message to the African continent delivered by the company’s Executive Director, Legal Services, Mrs. Gladys Talabi, expressed his delight with the achievements the continent recorded in the game in the last two years.

“We are delighted with the development of the game on the continent; the Nigeria U-17 National team successfully defended the U-17 World Cup, while the performances of African players in other major competitions have been very encouraging. We will continue to support the development of football on the continent.”

It was a glorious moment for Gabonese international and Borussia Dortmund striker, Pierre-Emerick Emiliano François Aubameyang, when he was announced the new African Footballer of the Year at the 2015 edition of the Glo-CAF Awards gala.

The striker who dethroned Ivorian international and Manchester City mid-fielder, Yaya Toure who had won the title four consecutive times, sprang surprise in the African Football community.

Speculations were rife that Yaya Toure would clinch the title for a fifth time, but the spectacular performance of Aubameyang in the Bundesliga and Gabon won the striker the title.

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Andrew Ayew of Ghana and Swansea City FC striker who also had a good season in the English Premier League finished in the third position.

Former Cameroonian international, Samuel Eto’o Fils had also won the title four times.

Aubameyang scored 28 goals in 21 appearances for club and country, including 18 goals for Borussia Dortmund in the current season, 4 goals in Europa and 4 goals in 2 matches for Gabon.

He is reputed for his speed and versatility as striker and winger, having clocked 30 meters in 3.7 seconds.

He was also the first player in the history of Bundesliga to score in the opening matches of the teams he played for. He later extended this record to eight matches, scoring in the team’s next two fixtures against Darmstadt 98 and Bayern Munich.

At the 2015 African Cup of Nations, Aubameyang was the skipper of the Gabonnese team, securing an opening goal of the tournament in their 2–0 win over Burkina Faso on 17 January 2015. He also scored a brace against Mali on 25 March 2015. He is Gabon’s highest goal scorer.

The lavish ceremony organized by sponsors and next generation network, Globacom, was attended by top government functionaries including five Nigerian Ministers, Diplomats, captains of Industries and international football administration such as the CAF President and interim FIFA president, Issa Hayatou.

Supersports’ Robert Marawa of South Africa’s and Ghanaian Actress and Producer, Juliet Ibrahim were the hosts.

Among the top artistes who performed at the event are Sunny Ade of Nigeria, Awilo Longomba from Congo, Salif Keita of Mali, and D’banj from Nigeria.

Others are Shattawale from Ghana, Black Mambazo from South Africa, Ahmed Soultan from Morocco and Nigeria’s Korede Bello, D’banj, Bez, Ego, Flavour and Omawumi.

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