CAF president Ahmad explains why they dropped two awards

Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Ahmad Ahmad has revealed the reason behind the body’s decision to remove the Africa-based Player of the Year and referee categories from its 2017 awards.

Ahmad told reporters yesterday that both categories were dropped to promote strong competition and avoid corruption.

“It’s very simple, we want to promote African football,” Ahmad said about the Africa-based player of the year category.

“There’s no two levels of football in Africa. Best is best, not best for the bad or best for the best. That’s the reason.

“Best player in Africa is the young player. If you want to go up, don’t stay down. Don’t sit down,” said Ahmad.

On the referee’s award, the CAF President explained why that prize has also been scrapped.

“The referees already have their own awards by being recognised for high profile games.

“Based on the locations of the referee, they’re rewarded with – say for example – the champions league quarterfinals and subsequent games.

“Another argument is that it is unethical. The committee believes that by giving referees awards, it may lead to some corruption at a latter stage.”

The winners of the awards will be announced today in Accra, Ghana.

Liverpool duo of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are joined by Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on the three-man list.

2017 CAF Awards Nominees:

African Player of the Year
Mohamed Salah (Egypt & Liverpool)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon & Dortmund)
Sadio Mane (Senegal & Liverpool)

Women’s Player of the Year
Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria & Dalian Quanjian)
Christina Kgatlana (South Africa & UWC Ladies)
Gabrielle Aboudi Onguene(Cameroon & CSKA Moscow)

Youth Player of the Year
Krepin Diatta (Senegal & Sarpsborg)
Patson Daka (Zambia & Liefering)
Salam Giddou (Mali & Guidars)

Coach of the Year
Gernot Rohr (Nigeria)
Hector Cuper (Egypt)
L’Hussein Amoutta (Wydad Athletic Club)

Club of the Year
Al Ahly
TP Mazembe
Wydad Athletic Club

National Team of the Year
Cameroon
Egypt
Nigeria

Women’s National Team of the Year
Ghana U-20
Nigeria U-20
South Africa

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