It is as a tradition that every year, the confederation of African football rewards the best footballers at every category of the game.
Once the statement ‘football in Africa’ comes in, then we should be expectant to hear certain household names.
Aside from being the home of uncountable legends, Cameroon is head and shoulders above most, if not all of the African nation’s as per statistics ; first African team to make the quarter finals of the world cup (Italia 1990), the only African team to get to the finals of the FIFA confederations cup, Olympic gold medalist 2000 and 5 time winner’s of the AFCON.
The CAF awards that took place on January 8, is a testimonial to the deep in form of Cameroon footballers in-and-around the continent.
A few names where whispered at the ‘thumb sucking stages’ of the awards but they were gradually subdued by bigger names or eventual winners.
Andre’ Onana presented Cameroons’ biggest chance for the continental jamboree but didn’t make the 3 man shortlist. It has been tagged ‘unfair’ by some fans that think CAF is not looking at football in it’s entirety.
For the category ‘best goal 2018’ Choupo-Moting had his long range shot against Malawi nominated.
Aboudi Onguene also had her ferocious hit from over 25 yards that got the Malian goal keeper in disbelief nominated for best goal. They both missed out on it.
Coach Joseph Ndoko was nominated for best coach but faced immense competition from Nigeria’s gaffer (Thomas Dennerby) and South Africa’s Desire Ellis. This one proved even more complicated given he finished 3rd with his team behind these two, in the just ended female cup of nation’s.
Hopefully the lads can put themselves together and push up for the coveted awards in next year’s event.
Giovanni Wanneh
