Kenyan football legends snubbed as CAF Awards 2023 guest list revealed

FOOTBALL Kenyan football legends snubbed as CAF Awards 2023 guest list revealed

Festus Chuma 14:00 - 10.12.2023

Kenyan football legends, including Mariga and Musa Otieno, are notably absent from the CAF Awards 2023 guest list, sparking disappointment.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has set the stage for a star-studded celebration of African football excellence at the upcoming CAF Awards 2023.

However, the absence of Kenyan football legends among the prestigious guests has sparked controversy and disappointment in the football community.

The highly-anticipated event, scheduled for Monday, December 11, in Marrakech, Morocco, promises to be a night of glitz and glamour, with a lineup of football legends, music and art celebrities, and notable names from various sporting disciplines expected to grace the occasion.

Renowned African football icons like Samuel Eto'o, Abedi Pele, El Hadji Diouf, Emmanuel Adebayor, Jay-Jay Okocha, Jonathan Pitroipa, Kalusha Bwalya, Ahmed Hassan, Perpetua Nkwocha, Patrick Mboma, and Mikel Obi are among 37 legends set to make their presence felt at the event, enhancing its grandeur and prestige.

However, amidst the excitement and anticipation, a cloud of disappointment looms over Kenyan football enthusiasts and fans.

Notably absent from the list of honored guests are the Kenyan football legends who have made significant contributions to the sport over the years.

Kenya boasts a rich football history, with iconic players such as MacDonald Mariga, Musa Otieno, Dennis Oliech,Peter Dawo, Elijah Onsika, and Austin Odhiambo, who have earned their places in the annals of African football history.

Their achievements on the pitch have inspired generations of young Kenyan players and fans, making them national heroes.

The omission of these Kenyan legends from the guest list has led to speculation and discontent within the Kenyan football community.

Many fans took to social media to express their disappointment, highlighting the accomplishments of these players and their rightful place among African football's elite.

One Kenyan football enthusiast, Mary Wanjiku, expressed her frustration, saying, "It's disheartening to see the CAF Awards overlook our legendary players. These individuals have represented our nation with pride and distinction. Their absence from the guest list is a glaring oversight."

On the sidelines of the awards ceremony, a charity football game has been organized to honor earthquake victims.

The game will be held at Marrakech Stadium on Sunday, December 10, at 16h00 local time (15h00 GMT).

It provides an opportunity for football lovers to come together for a noble cause and exemplifies the unity that sports can foster, transcending borders and backgrounds.

The CAF Awards, a prestigious annual event, are an opportunity to recognize and reward outstanding performances by African players, coaches, teams, and clubs over a specific period.

This year's consideration period ranges from November 2022 to September 2023 for men's categories and from December 2022 to November 2023 for women's categories.

 Follow Pulse Sports WhatsApp channel for more news.