GLO-CAF Awards-Nominees Shine in Egypt

Nigeria’s Mikel Obi, who is gunning for the Young Player of the Year Award, ended the tournament in Egypt as the Best Young Player in the final tournament report released by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) last Friday. Obi, who was making his first appearance in the tournament, scored in his first game against Zimbabwe and was voted the most valuable player in the explosive quarter finals match between Nigeria and Tunisia.

Cote d’Ivoire’s Didier Drogba scored thrice, including a back-breaking goal against Nigeria in the semi-finals to qualify his country for their first finals since 1992. He also scored the decisive penalty against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in a marathon penalty shoot-out in the quarter finals. Though the Chelsea football club top striker lost a crucial penalty kick in the shoot-out against Egypt in the finals, Drogba is considered one of the very influential players that made the Nations Cup in Egypt very memorable. He will in the summer, lead the Elephants to their first ever World Cup appearance in Germany.

Samuel Eto’O of Cameroon and the reining African Player of the Year may have ended his Nations Cup in Egypt on a sour note occasioned by the awful penalty kick against Cote d’Ivoire, but he still finished the tournament as the leading scorer with five goals. To the Barcelona of Spain star belonged the 25th African Cup of Nations golden boot.

Of no lesser note is the performance of Mohamed Barakat, who along his team-mates ensured the trophy remained in the Nile.

Barakat featured in all the games for Egypt enroute their victory on Friday night. His performance is a strong message to other contenders for the Inter-club Player of the Year award reserved for players who featured in CAF organised club competitions.

Transcorp-Hilton appointed Official Hotel

The prestigious Transcorp-Hilton Hotel, Abuja will play host to all the nominees and Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive members as well as invited guests of the awards sponsor, Globacom Limited. Mike Jituboh, the Executive Director, Special Services of Globacom, said the hotel formerly known as NICON-Hilton was chosen because of its world class accommodation and meeting facilities.

“Globacom has set the pace in innovations and efficient services in telecommunication and our strategic partnerships will always be with organisations that are leaders in their field, hence the choice of Transcorp-Hilton which is the leader in the hospitality industry.

You can talk of a strategic fit between Globacom and Transcorp-Hilton.

A meeting of the CAF Executive Committee will also hold in one of the meeting halls of the Transcorp-Hilton in the morning of February 16, the day of the awards ceremony. The awards ceremony will hold at the African International Conference Centre.

Hand-Cut Crystal Trophies for Winners

Beautifully designed and hand-cut crystal trophies for all award winners and nominees have been moved to a safe location in Abuja.
The trophies had arrived Nigeria from South Africa with the stage gears and other equipment shipped by the event managers, O’mage in late December before the earlier date was postponed.

Those who have caught a glimpse of the trophies described them as breathe catching and very fitting for such a prestigious event.

“I can assure you that those who will go away with these award premiums will be glad they have been honoured with a life-time piece of art work…. It definitely will command a high market value anytime”, volunteered a Customs agent who handled the clearing of the cargo from the ports.

For the first time in the history of the award, all nominees will receive trophies with their names engraved on it.