The Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed on Wednesday Senegal will host this year’s ceremony for the 2018 CAF Awards.
Nigeria and Ghana had been hosting the prestigious banquet between them in recent years.
The continental football body has broken tradition, awarding Senegalese capital, Dakar the hosting rights of the 2018 African Footballer of the Year gala night.
“The announcement of the best African player in 2018 will happen in Dakar on 8 January 2019 in collaboration with the government of Senegal,” CAF President Ahmad Ahmad said.
The African footballer of the year, the most promising talent, best coach, and best female player of the year from Africa will be announced during the gala.
Last year Egypt and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah was named African Footballer of the Year. The reigning star is in the race to retain his title.
CAF is expected to announce the nominees’ shortlist for the 2018 awards in the coming weeks.
In recent years, there has been a real surge in talents coming out from the continent and succeeding at the top levels. The English Premier League, in particular, is home to some of the finest African players at the moment and one can expect more to turn up on the big stages in the near future.