CAF President, Issa Hayatou on Wednesday arrived in Lagos, ahead of the 2013 Glo-CAF Awards Gala.
The ceremony will be held on Thursday, January 9 at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos.
Accompanied by his wife, the CAF President arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport at about 1.30pm (local time) and was received by President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari and Globacom’s Executive Director (Special Projects), Mr. Mike Jibutoh.
The welcome party included NFF Executive Committee members, Emeka Inyama, Alhaji Muazu Suleyman and Alhaji Yusuf Fresh, Mazi Amanze Uchegbulam (member, CAF Appeals Body), Olabode Opeseitan (Globacom’s Director of Public Relations), Ademola Olajire (NFF’s Assistant Director of Communications) and Nasiru Jibril (Personal Assistant to NFF President).
The train immediately moved to the Lagos State Government House, Marina, where Hayatou was received by the Executive Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola at a short but impressive ceremony.
Hayatou hailed Fashola for his commitment to the real growth of Nigeria football through several youth developmental programmes, and hugely commended the Aminu Maigari-led NFF for Nigeria’s sterling performances in international competitions in year 2013.
“As we speak, Nigeria is the real giant of Africa, having won the Africa Cup of Nations and qualified for the FIFA World Cup finals, won the FIFA U-17 World Cup and also qualified to play the African Nations Championship (CHAN). These are remarkable feats.”
Responding, Governor Fashola applauded the several feats African football has seen under the leadership of Hayatou.
“Apart from countless other achievements, you were able to get FIFA to make the World Cup truly a World Cup, by bringing it to Africa. You also got FIFA to bring the Club World Cup to Africa, played for the first time on our continent last month. What is left, and what I charge you and your Executive Committee to work hard at, is the technical development of African Leagues, and how to bring the economy of football to Africa.”
Ivorian Yaya Toure, compatriot Didier Drogba and John Obi Mikel of Nigeria are the contenders for the flagship African Player of the Year award whilst Egyptian duo, Mohamed Aboutreika and Ahmed Fathy as well as Sunday Mba of Nigeria battles it for the second-tier African Player of the Year (Based in Africa).
There will also be awards for Coach of the Year, Most Promising Talent of the Year, Referee of the Year, National Team of the Year, Youth National Team of the Year amongst others.
Confederation of African Football News
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