International Football
CAF Awards return to Morocco to celebrate Africa’s finest on 11 December
The hub of African football, Morocco, will again host the CAF Awards which celebrate the stars of African football. Last year’s edition was hosted in Rabat, the green city and capital of Morocco.
This year’s edition is scheduled for 11 December in the same country that boast of basically, the best sporting facility and organisation. With the country having splendid facilities spread across the kingdom, no particular one has been chosen as CAF informed that it will communicate the Moroccan host city in due course.
Last year, Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala and Senegal’s Sadio Madio were the stars, winning the top tier awards. While Oshoala may still be in contention for the Woman’s African Footballer of the Year, following her success with FC Barcelona this year.
Similarly, an obvious choice for Africa’s top crown is Nigeria’s in-form striker, Victor Osimhen who has almost become a global phenomenum and a much sort ‘commodity’ by top football clubs.
He is in vantage position to become Nigeria’s first African Footballer of the Year in 33 years. The last Nigerian to win the award is Nwankwo Kanu in 1999. He was given the award by the then CAF President, Issa Hayatou just before the kick-off of the Nigeria-Tunisia match at the 2000 Africa Nations Cup.
This year’s awards holding in a yet to be named Moroccan city will recognise the standout performers from club and country over the past year, with the highlight being the crowning of the CAF African Player of the Year in both the men’s and women’s category.
Mane and Oshoala will face stiff competition from some of continent’s brightest stars who have shone in the last 12 months.
Previous winners of the men category include Ivorian Yaya Tourer (2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014), Samuel Eto’o (2003, 2004, 2005 and 2010), Didier Drogba (2006 and 2009), Mohammed Salah (2017, 2018), Riyad Mahrez (2016), Nwankwo Kanu (1996 and1999), Abedi Pele (1992) and the great George Weah (1995) amongst some of the colourful previous winners.
In the women’s category, while Oshoala has dominated the category in recent years winning in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2022 – she still faces competition from previous winners including Thembi Kgatlana (2018) who are still active. This category counts amongst its previous winners former Super Eagle’s Perpetua Nkwocha (2004, 2005, 2010 and 2011).
Several more honours will also be at stake, including the Interclub Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year, National Team of the Year, Coach of the Year, Club of the Year and Goal of the Year.
The Interclubs Women’s Player of the Year award, which was introduced last year after the successful launch of the CAF Women’s Champions League, will continue this year.
The period under review for the CAF Awards 2023 spans from September 2022 until June 2023, encompassing an extraordinary chapter in African football history.
CAF African Player of the Year previous winners : (men)
Year | Winner |
2022 | Sadio Mane |
2019 | Sadio Mane |
2018 | Mohamed Salah |
2017 | Mohamed Salah |
2016 | Riyad Mahrez |
2015 | Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang |
2014 | Yaya Toure |
2013 | Yaya Toure |
2012 | Yaya Toure |
2011 | Yaya Toure |
2010 | Samuel Eto’o |
2009 | Didier Drogba |
2008 | Emmanuel Adebayor |
2007 | Frederic Kanoute |
2006 | Didier Drogba |
2005 | Samuel Eto’o |
2004 | Samuel Eto’o |
2003 | Samuel Eto’o |
2002 | El Hadji Diouf |
2001 | El Hadji Diouf |
2000 | Patrick M’Boma |
1999 | Nwankwo Kanu |
1998 | Mustapha Hadji |
1997 | Victor Ikpeba |
1996 | Nwankwo Kanu |
1995 | George Weah |
1994 1993 |
Emmanuel Amuneke
Rahidi Yekini |
1992 | Abedi Pele |
CAF African Player of the Year previous winners : (women)
Year | Winner |
2022 | Asisat Oshoala |
2019 | Asisat Oshoala |
2018 | Thembi Kgatlana |
2017 | Asisat Oshoala |
2016 | Asisat Oshoala |
2015 | Gaelle Enganamouit |
2014 | Asisat Oshoala |
2013 | (Not awarded) |
2012 | Genoveva Anonma |
2011 | Perpetua Nkwocha |
2010 | Perpetua Nkwocha |
2009 | (Not awarded) |
2008 | Noko Matlou |
2007 | Cynthia Uwak |
2006 | Cynthia Uwak |
2005 | Perpetua Nkwocha |
2004 | Perpetua Nkwocha |
2003 | Adjoa Bayor |
2002 | Alberta Sackey |
2001 | Mercy Akide |
International Football
Two Moroccan football players lost at sea, says club official
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Abdellatif-Akhrif.png)
Two Moroccan players from top-flight soccer side Ittihad Tanger have been missing at sea since Saturday after strong currents drifted their small yacht, a club official said on Sunday.
They were in a group of five players from the club who went cruising off the northern city of Tangier when strong currents and heavy winds drifted their yacht away as they were swimming in deep waters, club deputy president Anass Mrabet told Reuters.
“Three players have already been rescued on Saturday, while research is still ongoing for the missing Salman Harraq and Abdellatif Akhrif,” he said.
The players did not have buoys on them when they jumped from the small yacht to swim, he said citing recounts by rescued players.
While Akhrif, 24, is already a full member of the squad, Harraq, 18, was about to move up to the senior team this year, Mrabet added.
Ittihad Tanger have been in the Moroccan top flight since 2015 and won the league title for the first and only time in their history in the 2017-18 season. However, they have struggled in the lower half of the standings in recent years.
-Reuters
International Football
FIFA launches ‘Football Manager’ World Cup with $100,000 in prize money
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/arsene-wenger.jpg)
FIFA will host its first ever FIFAe World Cup of Football Manager this year to crown the best virtual manager on the highly-popular video game, world soccer’s governing body said on Thursday.
FIFA is partnering with Sports Interactive, the developers of the game that has sold millions of copies and has also been used by several football clubs to scout players and opponents thanks to its extensive database.
Players will compete for $100,000 in prize money in the final event from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1.
“This competition requires participants to demonstrate a profound understanding of football strategy and tactics,” said former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who is the ambassador for the esports event.
“Success demands not only mastery of game mechanics but also in-depth football knowledge, making this format a fascinating blend.”
FIFA said in the inaugural year of the event, selected member associations will be invited to be represented at the final event.
Member associations from all six confederations are expected to be invited while players can sign up on FIFA’s website.
-Reuters
International Football
Former Italy international Roberto Baggio robbed at gunpoint
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/baggio.jpg)
Former Italy international Roberto Baggio was assaulted and robbed at gunpoint at his home in northern Italy while watching his country’s match against Spain in the Euro 2024 tournament on Thursday, local police said.
Burglars broke into Baggio’s house near Vicenza, hit him on the head with a gun butt and locked him and his family in a room while they stole jewellery, watches and cash, daily Il Corriere della Sera reported. It said he suffered a deep wound.
“Luckily, the violence I suffered only resulted in a few stitches, bruises and a lot of fear. Now it is to overcome the fear,” Baggio was quoted as saying by Italian news agency ANSA.
Baggio, 57, played for clubs including Juventus (JUVE.MI), opens new tab, AC Milan and Inter Milan. He also played 56 times for Italy, scoring 27 goals, and is widely seen as one of his country’s all-time greats.
After the robbery, Baggio, widely known as the “divine ponytail”, was treated at a local hospital where he received stitches for the head wound, Italian media reported.
Italy lost to Spain 1-0 on Thursday and now must avoid defeat by Croatia to guarantee progression in the tournament.
-Reuters
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