Nigeria’s capital city is ready to stage the awards ceremony to celebrate Africa's outstanding talents for the second consecutive year. Excitement is gradually building up in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital territory, as the city prepares to host the 2016 Glo-CAF Awards. The Confederation of African Football had announced that the Silver Jubilee edition will be held on Thursday, January 5, 2017 at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.
As a follow up, sponsor and organiser of the event, Globacom, has assured that the company, in conjunction with Caf, will stage a memorable awards gala. In a press statement in Lagos on Thursday, Globacom said that “the Glo-Caf Awards 2016 will parade top football celebrities as well as top government officials from Nigeria, the African continent and the rest of the world.” Globacom stated further that the awards gala would also assemble African football legends, including the new African Footballer of the Year and winners in 12 other categories. The categories include African Player of The Year (Based in Africa), National Team of The Year, Club of The Year, and Coach of The Year.
Other categories are Women’s National Team of The Year, Women’s Footballer of The Year, Most Promising Talent, Referee of The Year, Legend of The year, Fair Play Award, Platinum Award – Single nominee, and Africa Finest XI. Gabon and Borrussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the reigning Africa Player of the Year, Tanzania’s Mbwana Samatta is Africa’s Player of the Year (based in Africa). Abuja will be hosting the awards for the third time and second consecutive year after hosting the inaugural edition in 2005 and its 2015 version held earlier this year in January.