Without giving any reason, the Confederation of African Football has removed the awards for the African based player and referee of the year from the 2017 awards.
This was revealed after the continental governing body didn’t include the lists on the final short lists for the nominations for the awards due on Thursday, 4 January 2018 in Accra, Ghana.
It was a shock after CAF had earlier nominated players for the award with a 10-man shortlist released on November 27.
The shortlist had Achraf Bencharki (Morocco & Wydad Athletic Club), Ahmed Fathi (Egypt & Al Ahly), Ali Maaloul (Tunisia & Al Ahly), Aristide Bance (Burkina Faso & El Masry), Ben Malango (DR Congo & TP Mazembe), Denis Onyango (Uganda & Mamelodi Sundowns), Jeremy Brockie (New Zealand & Supersport), Junior Ajayi (Nigeria & Al Ahly), Mohamed Ounnajem (Morooco & Wydad Athletic Club) and Taha Yassine Khenisssi (Tunisia & Esperance).
Kawowo Sports understands that the award for the African player of the year based in Africa as well as the main award was to be voted by among others coaches but the latter didn’t.
“The second and final phase will involve Head Coaches or Technical Directors of the National Associations taking part in the voting exercise and ten members from the Independent Media and TV Consultants group….” Read part of CAF revelation.
Uganda’s Denis Onyango is the reigning award holder and by look of things was destined to defend his crown.
