Music Meets Football At The GLO-CAF 2015 Awards

Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything. The irreplaceable role of music in any celebration can be attested to by the thrills music stars added to the glamorous continental GLO CAF 2015 Awards which recorded the attendance of the high and mighty in the round-leather business.

The exquisite event which was held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja commenced with the green carpet photo session before the main event was kicked off with the sound from velvet-voiced Ego Ogbaru who did a rendition of the Nigerian national anthem, backed by veteran guitarist, King Sunny Ade and alternative soul maestro Bez.

The atmosphere and guests instantly came alive and all fears and anxiety associated with who would emerge African Footballer of the Year 2015 bid everyone farewell at the sound of Music. 

There were several mind blowing performances from Ghana’s sensational Shatta Wale and Nigeria’s Korede Bello the ‘Godwin’ crooner who gave the gala a winning start. The collaboration between Black Mambazo and Ego also gave the event a phonic acapella that aided digestion of the sumptuous meal served at the ball.

After the presentation of a set of awards, Morocco’s Ahmed Soultan teamed up with Di’ja Blell from Nigeria to heighten the musical excitement and this was later followed by the electrifying performance of Bez and King Sunny Ade in a jazzy rendition of ‘Stupid song’.

The musical collaborations continued with the Afro pop performance by the legendary Salif Keita from Mali supported by Nigeria’s Omawumi Megbele in an invocation to Africa, “Africa O!” They were followed by the duo of Kach and D’banj who heighted the fun higher by performing “Top of the World” and his brand new song which he premiered at the show, ‘Emergency’. It is an afro pop song that is bound to rule the airwaves. Ageless Awilo Longomba and Flavour climaxed the event as they took their turn to entertain the elated guests.

The musical angle of the event was wrapped with the rendition of the Globacom new anthem performed by most of the artistes, accompanied by a parade of all the winners on stage to demonstrate the oneness canvassed by the theme.

Guests expressed happiness and satisfaction with the show which they described as world-class in scope, dimension and attendance.

Speaking earlier at the green carpet, the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr. Amaju Pinnick, commended Globacom for hosting the Glo-CAF Awards again in Abuja. He said it afforded guests the opportunity to witness firsthand the beauty of Nigeria’s capital city, thus boosting tourism in the country.

Mr. Segun Ogunjimi Sport Journalist popularly called “Obey Ibadan” marveled at the beautiful fusion of music and football across the African continent and the harmonious way the performances were combined.

Similarly, Senator and former minister, Sanusi Dagash, said Globacom’s Chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr., had not only supported sports in the country but had also helped in putting Nigeria on the developmental pedestal. He noted that Globacom’s Glo 1 international submarine cable was a feat capable of providing much needed internet bandwidth for economic prosperity in West Africa.

Stars that shone at the event…
African Player of the Year – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon), African Player of the Year – Based In Africa – Mbwana Aly Samatta, Women’s Player of the Year– Gaelle Enganamouit (Cameroon) and Youth Player of the Year – Victor Osimhen (Nigeria).
Others include Most Promising Talent of The Year – Etebo Peter Oghenekaro (Nigeria), Coach of the Year– Herve Renard (France) – Former Coach of Cote d’Ivoire, Referee of the Year – Bakary Papa GASSAMA (Gambia), National Team of the Year – Cote d’Ivoire, Women National Team of the Year – Cameroon, Club of the Year – TP Mazembe (DR Congo) and for African Legend category, Charles Kumi Gyamfi (Ghana) and Samuel Mbappe Leppe (Cameroon) were the pick.