Gabon Set To Unveil "Samba" Mascot For AFCON 2017

Host of African Cup of Nations (AFCON 2017), Gabon is set to unveil later on Friday, the official mascot for the final next year.

The event is expected to be graced with the presence of newly elected FIFA president, Gianni Infantino.

 

The mascot named ‘Samba, the panther,’ will be the big attraction this Friday, March 25th 2016, of the football game between Gabon and Sierra Leone at the Stade de Franceville.

Samba is still unknown to the public, but on Friday its face will represent the African Cup of Nations 2017 Gabon.

Indeed, the panther was chosen to be the mascot of the event because it represents the country on sporting events across the globe to have a panther as the mascot of the event that will take place in January and February 2017.

Gabon Set To Unveil "Samba" Mascot For AFCON 2017

Smell A Rat?: I Still Can"t Believe Ayew Wasn"t Named CAF African Player Of The Year - GFA Boss

I was Surprised Ayew Didn’t Win CAF Award – GFA Boss

Dede Ayew missed out the crown of been honoured as Africa’s best player for the year under review 2015. Gabonese forward, Emerick-Pierre Aubamayeng was adjudged the winner after pulling 146 votes to favourite, Yaya Toure of Ivory coast who had 136.

 

Swansea City and Ghana Black Stars attacking midfielder, Andre Ayew was tipped by many to win should Toure not but were all shell-shocked when both English premier stars missed out to Bundesliga club, BVB Dortmund’s forward, Aubamayeng.

 

The president of Ghana football association, Kwesi Nyantakyi spoke for the first time officially on the GLO/CAF awards ceremony after he was re-elected as chairman for WAFU during the union’s assembly gathering at the Movenpick Ambassador hotel in Accra.

Kwesi Nyantaky during the WAFU Zone B congress

He said, “I was disappointed our son (Ayew) lost. I had done some analysis on the three finalist and thought Ayew was favourite to wear the crown. Dede performed better at the AFCON – winning the goal king and was a runner-up with Ghana losing the final to Toure led Ivory Coast. He (Dede Ayew) continued that form with his new English premier league side, Swansea City.”

 

“When Toure was adjudged as 1st runner-up I nearly jumped for joy thinking Ayew has won it, only to be disappointed with the declaration of the Gabonese, Aubamayeng as winner.”

 

The newly elected WAFU chairman had a word of encouragement for the young Ghanaian forward – Ayew, “I can offer comfort to Dede, he’s young and has lot of time on his hands, he shouldn’t be down and worried but rather focus and keep the performance up.

Smell A Rat?: I Still Can"t Believe Ayew Wasn"t Named CAF African Player Of The Year - GFA Boss

Sign Of Respect: Ayew Congratulates Aubamayeng On Coronation As "King Of African Football"

Finally! Ayew Congratulates Aubamayeng

Ghana midfielder and 2nd runner-up during the recent GLO/CAF awards gala has eaten humble pie after he took too social media to congratulate Gabonese striker, Emerick-Pierre Aubamayeng.

 

 

The Ghanaian placed third for the second time in a row and had initially lost the crown for BBC footballer of the year to Ivorian international and Manchester city midfielder, Yaya Toure. The Swansea City midfielder was touted to be crowned king of African football after favourite Yaya Toure was named as second place after winning 4 times in a row.

 

The Swansea City top goal scorer wrote on his official instagram account, “God is great. 3rd place for the 2nd time in my career. I know Ghanaians and my fans were waiting for the 1st place and that was my goal just like the AFCON.”

The 26 – year old added, “But I will work hard to make my country and fans proud. congratulations to my brother Aubamayeng for winning and my big brother Yaya Toure for all what he has done for our continent.”

 

 

The son of Ghana’s maestro and arguably best ever footballer, Abedi Ayew ‘Pele’ will now be focused on reviving his dwindling form and that of his club, Swansea City and hope for better luck at next year’s event.

Sign Of Respect: Ayew Congratulates Aubamayeng On Coronation As "King Of African Football"

Gabon goes gaga as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang returns with CAF African Player of the Year award

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was given a hero’s welcome on his return to Gabon fresh from being named the CAF African Footballer of the Year on Thursday.

The Dortmund striker was greeted by scored of people at the international airport in Libreville.

Aubameyang waved and displayed his award to the cheering crowd as he was driven away to the Presidential Villa to meet up with President Ali Bongo.

Aubameyang was recieved by President Ali Bongo

The 26-year-old made history by being the first Gabonese to be crowned the King of African.

Aubameyang achieved this feat against Ivorian superstar Yaya Toure and influential Ghana forward Andre Ayew at a ceremony held in Abuja on Thursday.

The former Saint Etienne striker who is wanted at English club Arsenal is expected to fly back to his base in Germany on Friday night.

Gabon goes gaga as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang returns with CAF African Player of the Year award

Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang wins CAF Footballer of the Year Award

Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been crowned CAF African Player of the Year for the first time.

The 26-year old beat Ivorian Yaya Toure and Ghana’s Andre Ayew to the crown, the most prestigious individual award in African football.

He polled 143 points, seven more than Toure whilst Ayew finished a distant third with 112 points.

He thus becomes the first from his country, Gabon, to win the prize and was decorated at the 2015 Glo-CAF Awards Gala held on Thursday, 7 January 2016 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, Nigeria.

The feat by Aubameyang ended the four-year reign of Toure, which lasted 2011 to 2014.

For the African Player of the Year – Based in Africa, Tanzanian Mbwana Aly Samatta was decorated, becoming the first from East Africa to win the coveted prize, reserved for footballers plying their trade on the continent.

Samatta garnered 127 points, ahead of his TP Mazembe teammate and DR Congo goalkeeper Robert Muteba Kidiaba, who amassed 88 points.

Algerian Baghdad Bounedjah trailed in third place with 63 points.

Cameroonian Gaelle Enganamouit was adjudged Women’s Player of the Year becoming the first from her country to pick up the prize.

It was double delight for hosts Nigeria with two prizes, Victor Osimhen – Youth Player of the Year and Etebo Peter Oghenekaro – Most Promising Talent of the Year.

For guiding Cote d’Ivoire to continental glory, former coach Herve Renard was named Coach of the Year and ‘Les Elephants’ as National Team of the Year.

Cameroon scooped the Women’s National Team of the Year prize and DR Congo giants, TP Mazembe, Club of the Year, whilst Gambian Papa Bakary Gassama went home with the Referee of the Year award.

Former Ghana coach Charles Kumi Gyamfi and Cameroonian Samuel Mbappe Leppe were honoured posthumously in the African Legend category.

Edwin Gyamfi received the honour on behalf of his dad whilst …… picked the prize for Mbappe Leppe.

The event, sponsored by Nigerian telecommunication outfit, Globacom, was a night to celebrate and reward sporting excellence, also showcased superb and first-class entertainment from outstanding entertainers across different parts of Africa. There were musical performances by Shatta Wale (Ghana), Ahmed Soultan (Morocco), Salif Keita (Mali), Awilo Longomba (DR Congo) and Nigerians King Sunny Ade, Dija, Korede Bello, Flavour, Omawumi, Bez and Ego.

The crème de la crème of football administrators around the continent were in attendance

Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang wins CAF Footballer of the Year Award