By Kemi Yesufu
For music, film and football stars, the Glo CAF Awards that held on Thursday January 7 turned out to be one grand opportunity to shine.
Over time, the Glo-CAF award has become one of the world’s class events held in Nigeria and the entire Africa.
Thanks to the glitz and glamour that characterized past editions, the number one African football award ceremony can be described as one of those not too regular moments when the three entertaining worlds of football, fashion and music elegantly mix to produce a spectacle.
High fashion on display
As cars drove into the International Conference Center (ICC) Abuja venue of the Glo CAF Awards, dropping off guests, it was clear that guests came dressed to hilt. From old and reigning stars in football, to Nollywood A-list and chart topping musicians a number of them Glo ambassadors, ministers, lawmakers and members of the diplomatic corps, guests at the show made fashion statements. For the women, some of the standouts include Omawunmi, sultry actress Juliet Ibrahim who co-anchored the show with Super Sports presenter Robert Marawa and star actress/producer Ini Edo.
The men too gave a good account of themselves with Minister of State Petroleum Dr. Ibe Kachukwu, African Footballer of the Year 2015 nominee Andre Ayew, pop star Dbanj who looked dapper in his white tux/black trouser ensemble and comedian A.Y leading the pack. Omawumi and popular comedian Gbenga Adeyinka I took turns to speak with celebrities and other top personalities on the green carpet on their choice of attire and their expectations that night. It wasn’t only the stars that sparkled on the green carpet. Some politicians like members of the House of Representatives, Comrade Phillip Shaibu and Hon. Agbonayinman John, Senator Mohammed Dagash also took turns with the green carpet hosts. Other guests watched happenings on the green carpet even as they picked from the array of drinks served during the pre-event cocktail.
Salif Keita, Dbanj and Bez thrill audience
In his first time on stage, all the iconic Malian singer Salif Keita needed was two back up singers and a guitarist to give an excellent performance. The second time he took the stage, he was joined by Omawumi to perform his famous Africa song. Mavin Records starlet D’ija also gave a good account of herself. Same for Grammy award winners Lady Smith Black Mambazo who came all the way from South Africa. Rave act, Flavour and Awilo Logomba got guests on their feet. Korede Bello who performed the God win hit track was also a crowd favorite. But many would agree that the two outstanding performances of the night came from Bez who got a loud ovation for his energetic guitar collaboration with King Sunny Ade who joined at the end of rendering his That Stupid Song single and D’banj who took over from upcoming act Kach. Dbanj premiered his latest single Emergency live at the award. Also worthy of note was the classy handling of the event by comperes Juliet Ibrahim and Robert Marawa. Juliet spoke in French, while Robert attended to the English speaking crowd. It was equally a night of highly rated presenters with Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu and. chairman Senate Committee on Sports, Obinna Ogba presenting awards. Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung received the Platinum Award on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari. President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick was also at the award ceremony. He received the Confederation of African Football (CAF) president who doubles as the Acting President of FIFA, Issa Hayatou and the minister of Sports.
Talabi, Hayatou speak on Glo/CAF collaboration
What better time to speak on the ten year collaboration between telecommunication giant, Globacom and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) than when guests and viewers at home were fully concentrated on the stage? Director, Legal Services at Globacom, Gladys Talabi reiterated the commitment of her company to sponsor the annual event. Talabi who kept her speech, short and sharp said Globacom takes pride in supporting football as it was a unifying phenomenon in Africa where an estimated two thousand languages are spoken. She also used the opportunity to say that the collaboration between both organisations was still intact because “Globacom has grown like African football, providing robust services.”
On his part, Hayatou said Glo’s sponsorship turned the CAF awards to a world-class event. This year’s awards has its theme as: Win As One.
Fans Mob Aubameyang, Okocha
Despite going the extra mile to prevent uninvited guests from gaining entrance into the venue, some loud fans still found their way in. The organisers even took their plans to keep the number of guests inside the African Hall venue of the show low to the extreme by banishing journalists to the top foyer.
Despite the strictness of the organisers, the unruly fans mobbed football stars, taking selfies and pictures as long as they could hold them down. The player who emerged African Footballer of Year, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was the fans’ favourite. Not only did they follow him to the bathroom, they waited until he came out and pinned him down for several pictures. A similar scenario played out with ex-internationals, Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha and Daniel Amokachi. Journalists had to struggle through the adoring fans to get interviews done.
And the winners are…
African Player of the Year – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon), African Player of the Year – Based In Africa – Mbwana Aly Samatta, Women’s Player of the Year– Gaelle Enganamouit (Cameroon) and Youth Player of the Year – Victor Osimhen (Nigeria).
Others include Most Promising Talent of The Year – Etebo Peter Oghenekaro (Nigeria), Coach of the Year– Herve Renard (France) – Former Coach of Cote d’Ivoire, Referee of the Year – Bakary Papa GASSAMA (Gambia), National Team of the Year – Cote d’Ivoire, Women National Team of the Year – Cameroon, Club of the Year – TP Mazembe (DR Congo) and for African Legend category, Charles Kumi Gyamfi (Ghana) and Samuel Mbappe Leppe (Cameroon) were the pick.