Lagos To Host Africa’s Biggest Football Night In 2026

Lagos is set to welcome the stars of African football in 2026, as Nigeria gets ready to host the CAF Awards for the first time in more than 10 years.

Lekan Fatodu, the head of the Lagos State Sports Commission, confirmed on Saturday that the big event will hold at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Iganmu. The centre used to be called the National Theatre.

Fatodu said bringing the awards to Lagos shows that Nigeria is ready to host major events and still plays a big role in African football.

“This award night celebrates the best in African football top players, coaches, clubs, national teams and those who run the game,” he said. “Having it in Lagos tells the world that Nigeria can host big continental events.”

The CAF Awards happen every year. They are organised by the Confederation of African Football to honour players and teams who did well in the past year, both at club and country level.

Some of the awards to be given on the night include: Men’s Player of the Year, Women’s Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Club of the Year, National Team of the Year, and Interclub Player of the Year.

The biggest prize of the night will be the African Player of the Year, and there will also be an award for Goal of the Year.

CAF has not yet announced the exact date. But the venue is already confirmed. The Wole Soyinka Centre is easy to spot because of its police-cap shape. It has become a symbol of Nigeria’s arts and culture after it was renovated during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s time in office.

This will be the third time Nigeria will host the CAF Awards. The country hosted it in 2015 at Eko Hotels in Lagos, and again in January 2017 at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.

The news also comes at a time when Nigeria is preparing to host the 48th CAF General Assembly in October. Officials say this shows that Nigeria’s name is growing in African football.

With Lagos now confirmed, fans can expect to see Africa’s biggest football stars, coaches and officials in the city for a night of celebration.

CAF will share more details about the date and the full list of nominees in the coming weeks.

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