Glo-CAF Awards: Decision Day is here

Abuja, the serene political capital of Nigeria has been jolted into social upbeat with the arrival of Africa's football aficionados who are converging on the city for the first ever big time football awards- the Glo/CAF Africa Footballer Awards ceremony.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) will at the ceremonies sponsored by telecommunication giant, Globacom Limited announce the 2005 African Footballer of the Year christened GLO-CAF Awards.

The ceremonies will hold at the International Conference
Centre in Abuja from 6pm today.

At the Paris Ritz Hotel on March 18, 2005, Globacom and CAF signed the partnership deal which granted all marketing and exploitation rights to Nigeria's Second National Telecommunication Carrier.

At the signing ceremony, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr, Chairman of Globacom assured executive committee members of CAF and the international football media that Globacom will through the awards take African football to new heights.

The contest for the coveted award has since December 2005 been narrowed to three players, namely Ghana's Michael Essien, Cote d'Ivoires Didier Drogba and Cameroon's Samuel Eto'O who won the last two editions of the award. For Eto'O, who is coming to Abuja with a ten-man entourage that includes his Barcelona club President and son it is a threshold to history. No player has won the award three times back to back.

Globacom officials say they have put in measures to facilitate the attendance of all nominees, whose absence in the last editions has left sore marks on the organization.

"We appreciate the positive impact the presence of these African
Stars will have on those who attend the ceremony and those who view it live in their homes. This is why we have gone the extra
mile to put in place measures that will bring the nominees to Abuja.

At the ceremony which will be graced by important Nigerian government officials led by the President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, CAF will also name winners in twelve other categories that span young and past players, coaches, administrators and political leaders.

Africa raze of the moment, Nigeria's John Mikel Obi, who emerged as the most promising player at the just concluded 25th Africa Cup of Nations, is in the race for Young Player of the Year with compatriot and team mate, Taye Taiwo and Egypt's Farag Ahmed. See list of all categories.

Meanwhile, Jazzist and trumpeter, Hugh Masakela who will be entertaining the audience during the night of excellence, good food, drinks and comedy jetted into Abuja last Tuesday night with his band. Masekela said he was glad to be part of the big event and thanked Globacom for finding him worthy to perform at the show.

Masakela in a brief chat with Journalists at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport said Glo was not a strange brand to him having heard much about the company in South Africa.

“I want to thank the sponsors, Globacom for their innovative services and pocket-friendly prices. We’ve heard a lot about them and on behalf of the people we say thank you oh! Thanks again for inviting us, it’s our first time in Abuja and it’s so beautiful at night. I hope it looks beautiful in daytime too”.