Asisat Oshoala extends a record sixth CAF African Women’s Player of the Year Award

Osimhen wins first CAF African Player of the Year award in the men’s category

Morocco and Nigeria win National Team of the Year awards

Ellis extends her lead and joined by Regragui as Coach of the Year

Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala won the biggest individual awards at the CAF Awards 2023 in the Moroccan city of Marrakech on Monday night, 11 December 2023.

Osimhen, the Nigerian striker who made headlines in Italy and also for his contribution in the Super Eagles jersey, won the CAF African Player of the Year for the first time while his compatriot, Oshoala won her record sixth CAF African Women’s Player of the Year.

Osimhen's remarkable journey saw him fend off stiff competition from Moroccan full-back Achraf Hakimi and Egyptian striker Mohammed Salah.

Nigerian icon Oshoala secured the CAF Women's Player of the Year for a record sixth time. The attacker’s dominance continued as she inspired Barcelona to Champions League glory, finishing as the club's top scorer with 27 goals across all competitions.

Morocco's Walid Regragui was crowned CAF's Best Coach of the Year in the Men's category – recognised for guiding the Atlas Lions to a historic World Cup semi-final run in Qatar.

South Africa's Desiree Ellis secured the Best Coach award in the women's category for her outstanding work with Banyana Banyana. This was Ellis’ record fourth award in this category, which she has won consistently since 2018.

In CAF InterClub, South Africa and Al Ahly’s Percy Tau won the CAF InterClub Player of the Year.

Senegal's Lamine Camara, the 19-year-old FC Metz forward, clinched the CAF Young Player of the Year award, marking his meteoric rise in African football.

Moroccan prodigy Nesryne El Chad won the inaugural CAF Women's Young Player of the Year award.

Morocco won the Men’s National Team award following their performance at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, while Nigeria won the Women’s National Team of the Year award.

Egyptian giants Al Ahly clinched the Male Club of the Year award, with the women’s award going to South African side Mamelodi Sundowns.

South Africa dominated the continent’s Best XI players in the Women Category while two members of Morocco’s World Cup semi-final team were included in the male version.

The ultimate winners in each category were decided through a voting process involving a panel comprising CAF Technical Committee, Head Coaches, National Team captains and media professionals.

Full List of Award Winners:

Player of the Year (Men): Victor Osimhen (Nigeria, Napoli)

Player of the Year (Women): Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria, Barcelona)

Interclub Player of the Year (Men): Percy Tau (South Africa, Al Ahly)

Interclub Player of the Year (Women): Fatima Tagnaout (Morocco, AS FAR)

Coach of the Year (Men): Walid Regragui (Morocco)

Coach of the Year (Women): Desiree Ellis (South Africa)

Goalkeeper of the Year (Men): Yassine Bounou (Morocco, Al Hilal)

Goalkeeper of the Year (Women): Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria, Paris FC)

Young Player of the Year (Men): Lamine Camara (Senegal, Metz)

Young Player of the Year (Women): Nesryne El Chad (Morocco, Lille)

National Team of the Year (Men): Morocco

National Team of the Year (Women): Nigeria

Club of the Year (Men): Al Ahly (Egypt)

Club of the Year (Women): Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)

Men's Africa XI (As compiled by FIFPRO Africa)

LINE             NAME               CLUB                                       NATIONALITY

Goalkeeper   André Onana        Internazionale / Manchester United  Cameroon

Defender    Achraf Hakimi       Paris Saint-Germain                           Morocco

Defender    Chancel Mbemba   Olympique Marseille                       DR Congo

Defender    Kalidou Koulibaly   Chelsea / Al-Hilal                            Senegal

Midfielder   André-Frank Zambo Anguissa    Napoli                       Cameroon

Midfielder   Mohammed Kudus  AFC Ajax / West Ham United        Ghana

Midfielder   Sofyan Amrabat    Fiorentina / Manchester United        Morocco

Midfielder Thomas Partey        Arsenal                                              Ghana

Forward     Mohamed Salah     Liverpool                                            Egypt

Forward   Sadio Mané       Bayern Munich / Al-Nassr                       Senegal

Forward   Victor Osimhen         Napoli                                              Nigeria

Women's Africa XI: (As compiled by FIFPRO Africa)

LINE  NAME  CLUB   NATIONALITY

Goalkeeper  Andile Dlamini    Mamelodi Sundowns                     South Africa

Defender Bambani Mbane       Mamelodi Sundowns                     South Africa

Defender  Lebohang Ramalepe  FC Dinamo Minsk                       South Africa

Defender  Michielle Aloize          Houston Dash                                Nigeria

Defender  Osinachi Ohale        Deportivo Alavés Gloriosas              Nigeria

Midfielder  Fatima Tagnaout         ASFAR                                       Morocco

Midfielder  Linda Matlhalo     Glasgow City                                South Africa

Midfielder  Refiloe Jane               Sassuolo                                   South Africa

Forward  Asisat Oshoala             Barcelona                                     Nigeria

Forward  Barbra Banda             Shanghai Shengli                           Zambia

Forward  Tabitha Chawinga   Jianghan University / Paris Saint-Germain  Malawi

cafonline.com

Coach Ofori Asare Believes Ghanaian Boxers Will Qualify For Paris 2024

… Invites Boxing Fans To Nshona Rave Show On Dec. 22

Legendary boxing coach Ofori Asare is very optimistic that some Ghanaian boxers will qualify for the next Olympic Games in Paris.

Speaking to Yours Truly on the future of Ghana Boxing, he expressed that the future is very bright and he is very sure some boxers will definitely qualify at the world Olympic qualifiers after they missed the opportunity at Senegal, Dakar at the African Qualifier earlier in the year.

According to Coach Asare, only the winners or gold medalists qualified in Dakar, but at the world level four boxers will qualify in each weight category and he believes the boxers in the Black Bombers team can make it.

He expressed the Samuel Takyi; the 2020 Tokyo Games Bronze medalist can make it, as well as Theo Allotey who got a Bronze medal in Dakar and possibly two others.

“I picked them because they have shown that they are hungry for success, and want to change the colour of their medals” he noted.

He noted that the female boxers must not be over looked as a boxer like Ornella Sathoud needs to be given the opportunity because she is capable.

The world Olympic qualifiers will take place in Busto Arzizio, Italy from February 29 to March 12, 2024 and in Bangkok, Thailand from May 23 to June 3, 2024.

A total of 248 boxers will compete at Paris 2024 with 124 women and 124 men.

The ace boxing coach who is founder of the Wisdom Boxing Gym said Ghana has quality juvenile boxers who will shake the world in a few years to come and invited boxing fans to come to the Bukom Boxing Arena for the Nshona Rave Show which involves juvenile, amateur, professional and female boxers as well as music and E Boxing.

“We are transforming Ghana Boxing, and we want all boxing lovers to get involved. I want to thank all the sponsors and media supporting this show because it is an innovation and we hope to continue to encourage the boxers” he said.

Samuel Takyi aka ‘Ring Warrior’, Wahid Omar, Theo Allotey and others will feature on the Nshona Rave Show.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

All is set for the Don Simon Delight Fruit Mix Special Boxing scheduled for December 15, 2023 at the breezy Premier Beach Resort, Oshiyie,  Kokrobite in Accra.

Ace Match Maker, Rashid Williams aka Believer said the special boxing event is being arranged by Azumah Nelson promotion and supported by West Africa and Gulf Company Limited, distributors of Don Simon Delight Fruit Mix.

He said some of the country's exciting rising boxers are billed to grace the ring in a program designed to set the tone for this year's Boxing Day.

Enterprising Samuel Quaye and hardworking Derrick Quaye will begin the bouts in their Lightweight contest, while Godwin Tetteh takes on David Tagoe in a bantamweight contest. Eric Asante fights Bernard Adzewoda in a lghtweight contest over eight rounds.

In a Super light contest, Azumah Mohammed will face Ben Lamptey, with Wisdom Barnor clashing with David Quaye in a bantamweight contest.

In other bouts, Israel Commey meets Desmond Pappoe in a welterweight contest, while David Ankrah battle Henry Malm in a super light contest.

Levid Ankrah takes on Ben Lamptey in a light weight contest.

Ghana Police pride in boxing Ramatu Quaye and Janet Acquah will battle for supremacy in the female contest.

In the juvenile bouts (the future champs), Godfred Coffie will face Solomon Aryeetey, while Charles Paa Tee Quaye  clash with Mohammed Ablor Sowah.

William Afofo will come face to face with Osborn Love Omanhene, with Prince Larbi squaring it up with Ramford Laryea.

Commercial manager for West Africa and Gulf Company Limited said  " Supporting the youth in sports is a good cause so we didn't hesitate to come on board when Ambassador  Quarcoo and Professor Azumah Nelson approached us  to support the event.

"Our commitment to remain the market leader is sustained by the vast experience of its Spanish Parent company – the international and diversified Group, Venerable Capital Group with its distribution channels across Europe, Asia and Africa. WAGCOL also adopted excellent customer service, quality products and affordable prices as its operational strategy."

Ambassador Quarcoo said "We are indeed grateful for this support. It is to set the tone for the annual Boxing Day during Christmas. This is real boxing."

West Africa and Gulf Company Limited (WAGCOL) is a duly registered company established in 2010.

Ambassador Ray Quarcoo is a distinguished personality in Ghana Boxing. He was President of the Ghana Amateur Boxing Association. The event is to support his 88th birthday celebrations.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Osu Ako-Adjei Keep Fit Club clinched a 1-0 win over Purple Stars last Sunday in the 2023 Mr. Tee Aponkye Cup played at Osu Ako-Adjei Park in Accra.

The only goal of the game was scored by defender Andrews Welbeck in the early stages of the second half, ultimately leading his team to victory.

The two-day tournament under the theme "Building Ako-Adjei electoral area together through sports," was under the auspices of

Assemblyman for the Ako-Adjei electoral area Sidney Tetteh Agorvor-Otchie., had 8 cracked sides dotted across the electoral area battling for honours.

On their way to the finals, Ako-Adjei Keep Fit Club defeated Mechanics Stars 2-0 before accounting for Sunday Stars 4-2 on penalties after a pasulting 1-1 draw during regulation time while Purple Stars beat Nyaniba Stars 1-0 before defeating Kalamazoo Stars 7-6 on penalties to book passage into the finals.

For their reward, Ako-Adjei Keep Fit Club took home a trophy, medals,  a set of football jerseys,  one football, two sets of street lights, a goat as well as cash.

The duo of Copson Nii Nortey Okwei (Essien) and Joel Nii Nortey Ashong of Ako-Adjei Keep Fit Club were adjudged the best player and goalkeeper of the tournament.

All participating teams received a GHc300 appearance fee plus bags of water.

In a chat after the tournament,  Mr. Agorvor-Otchie, who is seeking re-election at the upcoming district assembly elections, said the event was aimed at bringing the communities together through the game while reigniting healthy rivalry.

He said in his small way he has been able to support persons and groups in the community across various sectors, from education, health, and electrification projects, helping brilliant but needy persons as well as setting up skilled persons in the community.

"Today, aside from helping the various football teams in the locality,  I decided to put this gala together for the young budding talents to showcase their talents while we look to harness great ones and give them bigger opportunities to further their trade."

According to him over the last four years, the Ako-Adjei electoral area has seen evidential changes of collective development and improvement of livelihoods especially among the vulnerable,  under his leadership as the Assemblyman together with his Unit Committee Members.

And used the opportunity to call on the electorates to retain him for the next four years to continue his good works from where he has gotten to now, come December 19, when they go to the polls.

Source Ray Ackumey

Mr. Mohammed Awudu Aputeog, organizer of the Super Volleyball Championship has urged players and officials to exhibit their skills and creativity on the court during the third edition.

He expressed his feelings at a Press Conference to announce the 2023 tournament at the Media Center, Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday December12.

According to Mr. Aputeog, it was difficult finding a standard venue for this year’s edition, and they settled at the Ghana International School at Cantonments in Accra.

He promised the winners and best performers some surprises as the cash prizes may increase as the medals and trophies have also been redesigned and look very attractive.

Mr. Alfred Ofei Awuku Akuffo aka ‘Yellow’, Technical Director of the Ghana Volleyball Association and Vice Chairman of the Greater Accra Region also advised the teams to be disciplined and fair as well as show respect to their opponents.

He cautioned the participating clubs to show sportsmanship and abide by all the tournament rules and regulations.

The Super Volleyball Championship, which is the biggest indoor volleyball championship in West Africa is the most exciting and competitive volleyball event in December, with the hugely anticipated 2023 edition also taking place at a new venue.

The 2023 edition of the tournament will see six (6) of the best volleyball teams from the Greater Accra Volleyball League compete for giant trophies and championship medals in both the men’s and women’s categories.

Air Force Women will be defending the title in the women’s division after edging Army Women in straight sets in last year’s grand finale, while the men’s category will see defending champions Police aspire to win the tournament for the second time after winning the last edition with a straight sets victory over their fiercest rivals, Air Force.

In the pairing for the women, Ghana Army, Ghana Police and Ghana Prisons are in Group A, while Ghana Air Force, El Wak Wings and Ghana Immigration are in Group B.

For the men pairings, Ghana Police, El Wak Wings and Immanuel Presby Church (IPC) are in Group A, while Ghana Air Force, Ghana Army and Ghana Prisons are in Group B.

This year’s Super Volleyball competition (SVC) massive end-of-year indoor volleyball competition will be held at the Ghana International School (GIS) in Cantonments, Accra from December 18 to 22, 2023.

All the qualified teams were presented with certificates by Alhassan Sumani, General Secretary of the Ghana Volleyball Association.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The people of Tizza will organize a football gala to celebrate the one year anniversary of their chief Bawayele Nnaayele Dakurah lll.

The three day gala will kick-off on the 26th of December and end on the 28th of December 2023 at the Tizza JHS Football Park.

Participating teams are Nimbare FC, Saaduon Royal Stars, Boi Young Youth, Naayibog Warriors, Mwofo FC, Bachoglo Wonderful Strikers and Baagu Young Youth. The event will be used to select a formidable team for the Tizza town. Organizer of the tournament is a former athlete, coach and events organizer James Anlaaminge, a native of Tizza said the event is organized to promote peace and unity among the good people of Tizza and to also celebrate the one year anniversary of their Chief.

Invited dignitaries for the program include the member of parliament for the area, Hon. Cletus Seidu Dapilah and the Municipal Chief Executive Officer of the area, Lawyer Nicholas Soriyiri.

The Chief of Tizza is the guest of honor, while sponsors of the gala include Dr. Caesar, producers of Lina Energy Tea, Ambassador Lutterodt, former GAA Chairman, Kpoo keke Alcoholic beaverage and Indomie Ghana.

Source James Anlaaminge

Ghanaian referee, Erasmus Owoo was in the middle for the first of three professional bouts at the IBA Champions Night last in Dubai, officiating two-time world champion Muslim Gadzhimagomedov of Russia's round 9 TKOwin over Artur Mann of Germany.

According to our man in UAE Prince Dornu, in the main event of the IBA Champions’ Night Dubai on Saturday night, Albert Batyrgazie of Russia retained his perfect record after inflicting a first prodefeat on Lazaro Alvarez of Cuba in the first ever IBA professional title fight in history, over 10 rounds. Winner received 300,000 USD and the loser, 200k USD.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

As Africa awaits to crown the best Player in Men and Women's Categories in Marrakech on Monday night, here is the throwback of the previous winners.

The Awards will start at 19h00 local time (18h00 GMT) live on CAF website and CAF TV.

The list includes multiple winners Samuel Eto’o, Asisat Oshoala, Yaya Toure, El Hadji Diouf, Perpetua Nkwocha, Mohamed Salah, Nwankwo Kanu, Abedi Ayew Pele, Noko Matlou and Sadio Mane.

Mane and  Oshoala are the reigning winners of the top prizes.

Women’s Player of the Year

2001 Mercy Akide (Nigeria)

2002 Alberta Sackey (Ghana)

2003 Adjoa Bayor (Ghana)

2004 Perpetua Nkwocha (Nigeria)

2005 Perpetua Nkwocha (Nigeria)

2006 Cynthia Uwak (Nigeria)

2007 Cynthia Uwak (Nigeria)

2008 Noko Matlou (South Africa)

2009 Not awarded

2010 Perpetua Nkwocha (Nigeria)

2011 Perpetua Nkwocha (Nigeria)

2012 Genoveva Anonmam (Equatorial Guinea)

2013 Not awarded

2014 Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria)

2015 Gaëlle Enganamouit (Cameroon)

2016 Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria)

2017 Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria)

2018 Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa)

2019 Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria)

2020 Not awarded due to COVID-19 

2021 Not awarded due to COVID-19

2022 Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria)

Men’s Player of the Year 

1992 Abedi Ayew Pele (Ghana)

1993 Rashidi Yekini (Nigeria)

1994 Emmanuel Amunike (Nigeria)

1995 George Weah (Liberia)

1996 Nwankwo Kanu (Nigeria)

1997 Victor Ikpeba (Nigeria)

1998 Mustapha Hadji (Morocco)

1999 Nwankwo Kanu (Nigeria)

2000 Patrick Mboma (Cameroon)

2001 El-Hadji Diouf (Senegal)

2002 El Hadji Diouf (Senegal)

2003 Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)

2004 Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)

2005 Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)

2006 Didier Drogba (Côte d’Ivoire)

2007 Frederic Kanoute (Mali)

2008 Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo)

2009 Didier Drogba (Côte d’Ivoire)

2010 Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)

2011 Yaya Toure (Côte d’Ivoire)

2012 Yaya Toure (Côte d’Ivoire)

2013 Yaya Toure (Côte d’Ivoire)

2014 Yaya Toure (Côte d’Ivoire)

2015 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon)

2016 Riyad Mahrez (Algeria)

2017 Mohamed Salah (Egypt)

2018 Mohamed Salah (Egypt)

2019 Sadio Mane (Senegal)

2020 Not awarded due to COVID-19

2021 Not awarded due to COVID-19

2022 Sadio Mane (Senegal)

CAF

Masomah Ali Zada, who competed in road cycling as a member of the Refugee Olympic Team Tokyo 2020 and is a member of the Athletes’ Commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has been named as the Chef de Mission for the Refugee Olympic Team Paris 2024. She is joined by Bernadette Castel-Hollingsworth, Deputy Director of the Division of International Protection at UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, as Deputy Chef de Mission. This follows a decision by the IOC Executive Board (EB).

IOC President Thomas Bach said: “I am delighted to welcome Masomah into her role as Chef de Mission. Having seen her journey from when she left Afghanistan through to competing at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, and now becoming the leader of the Refugee Olympic Team, I cannot think of anyone better to represent this team and the more-than 110 million displaced people around the world. Much like all the other athletes on this team, she shows us what refugees and displaced people can and do achieve and contribute to society, and I look forward to seeing her lead by example.”

He added: “We also welcome Bernadette into her role as Deputy Chef de Mission. The IOC has a close collaboration with UNHCR, without which the Refugee Olympic Team would not be possible. This appointment is a demonstration of that friendship. Bernadette brings years of humanitarian experience to ensure that all the athletes on the team receive the necessary support and protection that their precarious status demands.”

Ali Zada was born in Afghanistan into a conservative community where girls were not encouraged to ride bikes. She became the target of threats when she and a group of women started racing competitively. Despite the many barriers she faced, she persevered and ultimately competed as a member of the Afghan women’s national cycling team. She became a refugee in 2017 and claimed asylum in France. Soon after, she received an IOC Refugee Athlete Scholarship, which was another step towards achieving her dream of competing at the Olympic Games.

She is currently studying civil engineering at the University of Lille. She was appointed to the IOC Athletes’ Commission in July 2022.

On learning of her appointment, Ali Zada said: “For me it is a source of pride to be able to represent not only the athletes and the team, but also the more-than 100 million displaced people around the world. In Paris, we have an opportunity to show the world what refugees are really capable of, and redefine the way the world sees us.”

She follows on from Tegla Laroupe, who served as Chef de Mission for the first-ever Refugee Olympic Team in Rio 2016 and the Refugee Olympic Team Tokyo 2020.

As Chef de Mission, Ali Zada will serve as the figurehead and spokesperson for the Refugee Olympic Team, ensuring that the best interests of all the Team members are met, and that the platform provided by the Olympic Games serves to demonstrate the role sport can play in creating inclusive societies, and the enrichment that refugees can be to our communities.

Castel-Hollingsworth joins the Refugee Olympic Team Paris 2024 as Deputy Chef de Mission. She brings more than 20 years’ experience in humanitarian contexts working with displaced people. Most recently she served as Senior Protection Coordinator in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, after which she was deployed on emergency support missions to Burkina Faso and Cameroon.

Castel-Hollingsworth said: “ I have witnessed first-hand the benefits that sport and play can deliver to forcibly displaced and stateless communities, providing a sense of belonging and opportunities, and bringing positive psychological, physical and many other protective benefits. It is great honour for me to support the Refugee Olympic Team and see the positive role that elite sport can play for refugees. I very much look forward to the Olympic Games Paris 2024.”

From the Team to wider support for displaced people

At the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in October 2015, confronted with the global refugee crisis that has seen millions of people in the world displaced, IOC President Thomas Bach announced the creation of the Refugee Olympic Team – the first of its kind – to take part in the Olympic Games Rio 2016.

The Rio 2016 team consisted of 10 athletes, who sent a powerful message of hope to the world through their journeys to the Games and their performances in Rio. A further 29 athletes competed as part of the IOC Refugee Olympic Team at Tokyo 2020.

There are currently 62 athletes benefitting from a Refugee Athlete Scholarship, training and competing in the hope of being selected for the Refugee Olympic Team Paris 2024. They are from 11 countries, live in 19 host countries and represent 13 sports.

Supporting refugees and displaced populations remains a key priority for the IOC, and is part of Recommendation 11 of Olympic Agenda 2020+5. The Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF) was established in 2017 to build on this commitment, and work towards building a movement which ensures that young people affected by displacement thrive through safe sport. The Foundation functions in lieu of a traditional National Olympic Committee, managing the Refugee Athlete Scholarship-holders and the IOC Refugee Olympic Team for Paris 2024.

IOC

The Bukom Boxing Arena inside the Trust Sports Emporium will be the action spot from December 15 to 18, 2023 when the African Basketball Festival takes place.

According to organizer Mr. Yaw Sakyi Afari, it will be a night of sports, fashion and music as other exciting programmes are going to entertain fans at the venue.

He noted that there will be the introduction of E Sports for lovers of electronic sports.

There will be a special Basketball match between Accra Technical University (ATU) and the University of Ghana (UG) which has already generated a lot of tension and anxiety among students and Basketball fans.

Coaches Erico of ATU and UG are sure of producing a beautiful game for lovers of the game.

The festival begins at the Ga Mashie Hall with a red carpet programme with the Ga Mantse Nii Teiko Tsuru II opening the show, then eight countries will be in Basketball action on Saturday, December 16, 2023, while the climax is on Sunday, December 17, 2023 with the exotic fashion presentation and classic entertainment.

The festival will witness captivating 5x5 basketball tournaments, exhilarating slam dunk contests, and nail-biting 3-Point Shooting challenges involving teams and fans alike.

With a blend of professional athletes and local heroes on the court, the basketball action is certainly going to keep spectators on their feet.

The music stage will showcase a diverse lineup, spanning various genres to cater from; Hip-hop, Hiplife, or Afrobeat and more.

Tickets to the programme can be obtained by dialing *713*33*80#.

The event is brought up by RITE Sports in partnership with Beyond The Return Office and Ghana Basketball Festival.

By Sammy Heywood Okine