Shatta Wale, Kidi snub at Caf awards to be probed

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) says sponsors Aiteo would have to explain the lack of regional spread in performances at the 26th Caf Awards in Accra Thursday.

It pointed out that it had agreed that a strong local performance of at least two Ghanaian musicians, viz Shatta Wale and Kidi, should have been witnessed.

But that was not the case as musicians from Nigeria dominated the show.

Patoranking, Wizkid, Flavour and Tiwa Savage were among performers at the Accra International Conference Center (AICC).

Ghana’s Efya sang the nation’s anthem while Togo’s Toofan and Congolese Fally Ipupa made appearances.

In a statement issued to congratulate winners as well as organizers, Caf stated, “While praising their efforts, we will be seeking an explanation from AITEO over the line-up of musicians for the event”.

“We had agreed with them, in pursuit of continental spread of the performers, to ensure a regional balance and a strong local representation of at least two musicians from the host nation Ghana – Kidi and Shatta Wale.

“However, that did not happen and there is the need for an explanation from them on why that was the case in order to make next year’s event more successful.”

Shatta Wale had claimed in an interview that he snubbed organisers because he was not presented with any written contract though he was called by someone to perform at $30,000, which he pocketed.

The line-up of performances caused outrage among Ghanaians, especially as there were no awardees except Ibrahim Sunday, who was given the Legend Award.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was also decorated with the Platinum Award.

“We wish to express our sincere gratitude to Ghana President His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for attending the AITEO CAF Awards 2017 in Accra last night.

“We would like to acknowledge his extraordinary contribution to the event that made it lively as his thought-provoking message touched on some of the key things impacting the game in Africa.”