NOMINEES FOR 2018 CAF AWARDS

Thirty-four (34) players and 15 women players have been nominated for the flagship awards; Player of the Year and Women’s Player of the Year based on the performance of the players during the year.

The winners for the African Player of the Year and Women’s Player of the Year will be decided by the following:
1. CAF Technical & Development Committee
2. Media Experts, Legends, Coaches of the quarter-finalists of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup
3. Coaches and Captains of the national teams of the 54 Member Associations.

Other categories namely Youth Player of the Year, Men’s Coach of the Year, Women’s Coach of the Year, Men’s National Team of the Year and Women’s National Team of the Year will be elected by:
1. CAF Technical & Development Committee
2. Media Experts, Legends, Coaches of the quarter-finalists of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup

The Awards Gala, to honour footballers and officials who distinguished themselves during the year under review, will be held on Tuesday, 8 January 2019 in Dakar, Senegal.


AFRICAN PLAYER OF THE YEAR

1. Abdelmoumene Djabou (Algeria & ES Setif)
2. Ahmed Gomaa (Egypt & El Masry)
3. Ahmed Musa (Nigeria & Al-Nassr )
4. Alex Iwobi (Nigeria & Arsenal)
5. Andre Onana (Cameroon & Ajax)
6. Anis Badri (Tunisia & Esperance)
7. Ayoub El Kaabi (Morocco & Hebei China Fortune)
8. Ben Malango (DR Congo & TP Mazembe)
9. Denis Onyango (Uganda & Mamelodi Sundowns)
10. Fanev Andriatsima (Madagascar & Clermont Foot)
11. Franck Kom (Cameroon & Esperance)
12. Jacinto Muondo Dala ‘Gelson’ (Angola & Primeiro de Agosto)
13. Hakim Ziyech (Morocco & Ajax)
14. Idrissa Gueye (Senegal & Everton)
15. Ismail Haddad (Morocco & Wydad Athletic Club)
16. Jean-Marc Makusu Mundele (DR Congo & AS Vita)
17. Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal & Napoli)
18. Mahmoud Benhalib (Morocco & Raja Club Athletic)
19. Mehdi Benatia (Morocco & Juventus)
20. Mohamed Salah (Egypt & Liverpool)
21. Moussa Marega (Mali & Porto)
22. Naby Keita (Guinea & Liverpool)
23. Odion Ighalo (Nigeria & Changchun Yatai, Nigeria)
24. Percy Tau (South Africa & Union Saint-Gilloise)
25. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon & Arsenal)
26. Riyad Mahrez (Algeria & Manchester City)
27. Sadio Mane (Senegal & Liverpool)
28. Taha Khenissi (Tunisia & Esperance)
29. Thomas Partey (Ghana & Atletico Madrid)
30. Wahbi Khazri (Tunisia & Saint-Étienne)
31. Walid Soliman (Egypt & Ahly)
32. Wilfried Zaha (Cote d’Ivoire & Crystal Palace)
33. Yacine Brahimi (Algeria & Porto)
34. Youcef Belaili (Algeria & Esperance)


WOMEN'S AFRICAN PLAYER OF THE YEAR

1. Abdulai Mukarama (Ghana & Northern Ladies)
2. Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria & Dilian Quanjian)
3. Bassira Toure (Mali & AS Mande)
4. Chrestinah Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa & Houston Dash)
5. Desire Oparanozia (Nigeria & Guingamp)
6. Elizabeth Addo (Ghana & Seattle Reign)
7. Francisca Ordega (Nigeria & Washington Spirit)
8. Gabrielle Aboudi Onguene (Cameroon & CSKA Moskow)
9. Gaelle Enganamouit (Cameroon & Avaldenes)
10. Janine Van Wyk (South Africa & Houston Dash)
11. Marlyse Ngo Ndoumbouk (Cameroon & Nancy-Lorraine)
12. Onome Ebi (Nigeria & Hekan Huisanhang)
13. Portia Boakye (Ghana & Djurgardens)
14. Raissa Feudjio (Cameroon & Aland United)
15. Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi & Jiangsu Suning)


YOUTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR

1. Achraf Hakimi (Morocco & Borussia Dortmunmd)
2. Wilfred Ndidi (Nigeria & Leicester City)
3. Andre Onana (Cameroon & Aax)
4. Ismaila Sarr (Senegal & Rennes)
5. Mahmoud Benhalib (Morocco & Raja Club Athletic)
6. Franck Kessie (Cote d’Ivoire & AC Milan)


MEN'S COACH OF THE YEAR

1. Corentin Martins (Mauritania)
2. Florent Ibenge (AS Vita & DR Congo)
3. Juan Carlos Garrido (Raja Club Athletic)
4. Moine Chaabani (Esperance)
5. Nicolas Dupuis (Madagascar)
6. Patrice Carteron (Al Ahly)
7. Rachid Taoussi (ES Sétif)
8. Herve Renard (Morocco)
9. Aliou Cisse (Senegal)
10. Gernot Rohr (Nigeria)


WOMEN'S COACH OF THE YEAR

1. Bruce Mwape (Zambia)
2. Desiree Ellis (South Africa)
3. Joseph Brian Ndoko (Cameroon)
4. Saloum Houssein (Mali)
5. Thomas Dennerby (Nigeria)


MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR

1. Guinea Bissau
2. Kenya
3. Madagascar
4. Mauritania
5. Uganda
6. Zimbabwe


WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR

1. Cameroon
2. Ghana
3. Mali
4. Nigeria
5. South Africa


Source: Cafonline.com

TEAM DOGBE BRIEFS PRESS ON UPCOMING DOGBE - NAVARRETE BOUT

Team Dogbe have briefed the press on the upcoming bout between Isaac Dogbe and Emanuel Navarrete which is slated for 8th December, 2018 at Madison Square Garden, USA.

Speaking at the media launch of the bout, team Dogbe coordinator, Yoofi Boham, admitted his camp is more focused on clinching another impressive victory for Ghana when the Royal storm Dogbe squares it off with Mexican Navarrete next month.

He added that, Isaac Dogbe has always been disciplined and is currently in intense preparations in United States, gearing up for the big bout to make Ghana proud once again.

Dr. Kuuku Biney, who is the CEO of Media 7, the official broadcaster of the bout, exclaimed that Isaac Dogbe is coming home to Ghana with triumph without comprehension, and his outfit is determined to give Ghanaians and the diaspora the best of high definition coverage of the bout.

The occasion was also used to launch the official hashtag of the bout #NEHOMUSTWIN and it is expected to trend in the days leading to the big fight in Madison Square Garden.

Isaac Dogbe will look to continue his impressive career with another title defense against a strong Mexican Navarrete who hasn’t lost a bout in the last four years.

MEDIA 7 SECURES SOLE RIGHTS TO TELEVISE DOGBE - NAVARRETE BOUT

Media 7, which is one of the fast growing media houses in Ghana, has secured the sole rights to televise the upcoming bout between WBO Super Bantamweight champion, Isaac “The Royal Storm” Dogbe and Emanuel Navarrete at Madison Square Garden.

Speaking at the media launch of the bout, CEO of Media 7, Dr. Kuuku Biney, stated that his outfit is dedicated to providing quality content to the doorsteps of every Ghanaian home.

“Media 7 coverage reaches the entire African continent and some part of Europe. We stand for quality and where there is quality, we come on board to broadcast.

 We are very determined to ensure that all Ghanaians get to watch the bout in our high definition channels. The rights would however be further delivered to any interested media house in the country,” Dr. Biney said.

He proudly acknowledged the efforts of team Dogbe and encouraged all Ghanaians to rally their support behind Isaac Dogbe to retain his world title on December 8, 2018.

Isaac Dogbe has won all 20 career bouts and earned 14Ko’s while Emanuel Navarrete has a record of 25 victories and 1 defeat, with 22Ko’s.

Dogbe is currently in the USA preparing for his second title defense against Navarrete who is yet to taste defeat in the last four years.

CAF grants Asante Kotoko walkover to Confederations Cup 1/16th round

Ghanaian giant Kumasi Asante Kotoko have qualified to the 1/16th round of the 2018/19 CAF Confederations Cup by basis of a walkover after the Cameroonian FA failed to submit a representative before the deadline elapsed.

Asante Kotoko SC will now face the winner of Arta Solar 7 (Djibouti) and Kariobangi Sharks FC (Kenya) in the next round after getting a walk over in the preliminary round.

Super Falcons AWCON dream on track after 4-0 Zambia walloping

The Super Falcons got their 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) campaign back on track with a 4-0 thrashing of Zambia in their second group game on today.

Desire Oparanozie scored the opening goal for a 1-0 half-time lead, while Francesca Ordega added the second goal minutes into the second half.

Oparanozie soon added another goal to make it 3-0, while substitute Amarachi Okoronkwo put the icing on the cake with her goal to make it 4-0.

The Nigeria Falcons look determined to defeat Equatorial Guinea in the final group game to seal qualification to the semi finals.

South Africa records shocking victory over AWCON favourites, Nigeria

The defending champions of the Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON), Nigeria, were stunned by their South African counterparts as they conceded a late goal in their group B opener.

A number of missed chances by the Nigerians proved to be costly as they lost control of the midfield battle and attackers weren't clicking as expected.

South Africa's substitute Kgatlana scored a late goal to give her country a sweet victory over the star-studded Super Falcons side at the Cape Coast Stadium.

The defeat leaves Nigeria with no other option than to win their next two games to ensure qualification to the next round of the 2018 AWCON.

2019 AFCON Qualifier: Jordan Ayew's brace earns Ghana a crucial win over Ethiopia

Jordan Ayew proved his critics wrong as he scored twice to aid the Black Stars record an important victory over Ethiopia in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Adis Ababa.

The Crystal Palace striker calmly received a timely measured long pass from Harrison Afful, and brilliantly struck the ball to the far post to give Ghana the lead in the 3rd minute.

The Stars continued to stamp their superiority in the game and it was no surprise when an intelligent through pass from captain Andre Ayew resulted in a penalty as the Ethiopian goalkeeper brought down Emmanuel Boateng in the 18-yard box.

Once again, Jordan Ayew elected himself to extend Ghana's lead with a well placed penalty kick to make it 2-0 with just 23 minutes played.

The Ethiopians however showed their class as they kept hold of the ball beautiful and pushed the Ghanaians to their own half in most part of the 2nd half.

Black Stars coach Kwesi Appiah introduced Afriyie Acquah, Nana Ampomah and Jonathan Mensah into the game to change the dynamics but their influence was not quite visible.

All efforts of the Ethiopians unsurprisingly didn't change the final outcome as Ghana left the stadium with a hard earned victory thanks to a brace from Jordan Ayew.

This win takes Ghana to 6 points and second in Group F with Kenya leading the group with 7 points.

CAMEROON DEFEATS MALI 2-1 IN EXCITING 2018 AWCON ENCONTER

The Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon defeated their Malian counterpart in a very exciting 2018 AWCON group A encounter.

The Cameroonians as expected settled into the game earlier on and starting piling constant pressure on the Malian defense but luck eluded them as they couldn't find the net in the initial stages of the game.

The second half interestingly began with a spirited performance from the Malians as they became more swifter on the counter breaks and one of such led to their speedster Aissata Traore scoring a beauty of a goal to put them ahead in the 56th minute.

However, a corner kick by Cameroonian attacker Nchout Ajara was poorly cleared by the Malian defense before the ball richocheted on Mefomettou Fallone and somehow found its way into the Mali net to put Cameroon back on level terms in the 71st minute.

Cameroon were not done yet as two minutes later, Aboudi Onguene burst forward before laying the ball for Nchout Ajara who side-footed it into the net to send the Lionesses ahead.

The game ended with Cameroon having the last laugh as they topped group A and with the hope of extending their lead as they face the Fennecs of Algeria on Tuesday night at Accra Sports Stadium.

Ghana opens 2018 AWCON campaign with slim victory over Algeria

The Black Queens of Ghana kicked start the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations with a 1-0 victory over the Fennecs of Algeria at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The ever enterprising defender Gladys Amfobea pounced on a loose clearance and hit a first time shot to goal to make it 1-0 for the Ghanaians in the 13th minutes of the game.

The Black Queens pressed on to mount more pressure on the Algerians in most part of the first half but failed to utilize the chances created.

However, the second half started with Algeria turning on the style and making the Ghanaian goalie Patricia Mantey work on a few dangerous occasions.

The resolute defensive pair of Faustina Ampah and Janet Egyir ensured Ghana kept a clean sheet throughout the game.

Coach Bashir Hayford introduced Asantewaa and Janet Ayieyam into the game who caused a lot of havoc for the opposition side quite a number of times but the offside trap by the Algerians denied Ghana the opportunity to increase their lead.

A section of the fans at the stadium expressed their disappointment at the Queens for being so wasteful in front of goal but believe the team can improve as the tourney progresses.

With Three (3) points already, the Black Queens go into the next game against Mali on Tuesday with the hope of winning and qualifying to the next round of the competition.

BLACK QUEENS OF GHANA READY FOR AWCON 2018

Bashir Hayford’s Black Queens of Ghana on Sunday showed glimpses of their preparedness for the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON), starting this weekend, as they defeated a strong South African side by a lone goal.

The friendly encounter which was used to open the Accra Sports Stadium after several months of renovation was the last preparatory match for both countries before the start of the tournament.

Ghana who are the host and one of the favourites for the tournament thrilled their fans on Sunday evening as they defeated Bayana Bayana of South Africa by a single goal scored by the ever exciting striker Samira Suleiman in the 21st minute of the game.

It was a period of constant pressure Ghana put on the South African defense which resulted in a corner kick. Captain Elizabeth Addo converted the kick expertly to the direction of Samira who slotted home with a beautiful header.

The second half of the game presented both coaches the opportunity to change tactics and introduce new players into the field to assess their performance. However, the changes didn’t make much difference as the game ended 1-0 in favour of the Black Queens of Ghana.

There was a presumably good spectatorship at the match as some fans expressed their happiness about the performance of the team while others expected more from the Ghanaians.

Coach Bashir Hayford has clearly ensured to bring a telepathic understanding between the players as they seem to understand the 4-3-3 system being deployed.

However the problem is the over-exaggeration on the ball. From close observation, there’s a rapt cohesion between the defense and the midfield which really makes it easy for them to connect with the attacking trio of Samira Suleiman, Sherifatu Sumaila and Priscilla Okyere.

In defense, special mention can be made of Linda Eshun whose performance and link up play with the attackers is extraordinary on the left flank.

 In midfield, captain Elizabeth Addo can be trusted to control and dictate the pace of the game as she is endowed with the ability to hold on to the ball brilliantly and create all sort of problems for the opposition.

 In attack, Sherifatu Sumaila has proven over the years to be very reliable as her pace, dribbling and good decision-making upfront is a big plus to the team.

The major challenge a lot of fans however bemoaned over was the goalkeeping department where the first choice goalie Dumehasi Fafali was jittery and mostly found fumbling on a number of occasions. Her inability to kick the ball deep in opposition half will prove to be a big problem when they face a side that can take advantage of such mishit.

 Also, her anticipation of aerial balls are questionable as well as the difficulty in catching the ball once. These are factors the coach must look into, with few days to the tournament.

Another player a section of spectators pointed fingers at was the right back Gladys Anfobea who played exceptionally well but her loss of concentration a number of times and failure to track back to defend, caused problems for the team.

Unlike previously where we saw the Queens just ballooning the ball away to opposition half, coach Bashir Hayford has succeeded in grooming the players to start attack from the back, putting the ball on the turf, finding players in spaces and creating scoring opportunities.

It must be noted that on a very good day, Ghana should have won the game by more goals because of the glaring chances they created but failed to convert. The other side of the coin is true because if they had faced a much swifter opposition, they would have conceded quite a number of goals as the defense looked shaky on a few occasions.

With the support of the Ghanaian fans that will be trooping to the stadium, it will offer an extra motivation for the players to put in extra effort to fly the flag of Ghana very high.

 Perhaps, if anyone had doubt about the Black Queens’ ambitions for the tournament, the match against South Africa has nullified all doubts and the populace is fully behind the ladies.

Most local fans have sincerely admitted to the fact that the Super Falcons of Nigeria, who are the defending champions, are the only obstacle to Ghana’s hopes of clinching the Africa Women Cup of Nations for the first time this year.

Ghana will kick start their campaign with the opener against Algeria on Saturday at the Accra Sports Stadium.


(Credit to 442gh.com for the photos)

By: Edward Kyei Frimpong
Email: Eddybless200@yahoo.com