Ghana Premier League club, Dreams FC equaled the continental record chalked by the nation's two oldest clubs Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko by reaching the semifinals of the CAF Confederation Cup in 2023/04 season.
Out of their stables, came a young forward, Abdul Aziz Issah who held the followers of the competition spellbound with breathtaking performances. His four goals from 12 matches earned him the joint top scorer award alongside teammate John Antwi where they reached the semi finals. Aziz Issah also played a key role in Ghana’s U-20 winning the 2024 Africa Games hosted in Ghana.
His stunning long-range strike against AFC Lobito in last season's 4-0 CAF Confederation Cup win attracted the attention of the Confederation of African Football which has nominated the goal as one of the best of the tournament.
Issah's goal will battle other nominees, Aboubakary Koïta of Mauritania, Denis Omedi of Kitara FC, Ibrahim Adel of Egypt and Pyramids FC, Kevin Pina of Cape Verde, Mabululu of Angola, Nene Dorgeles of Mali, Saïd Benrahma of Algeria, Sebastien Haller of Ivory Coast, Wessam Abou Ali of Al Ahli and Yassine Benzia of Algeria for the Goal of the Year award.
The 19-year-old, who now plays for Barcelona Athleti, has received rave reviews from his domestic club coach, Abdul Karim Zito.
"Why do we work or why do we play football, there is a reason beside money and with these young ones, the objective is to play, change the lives of your family and then be popular in the world just like the way [Cristiano] Ronaldo and co have been.
"So I think to be nominated for this award, this young man from nowhere and Dreams fc to be nominated among some best in Africa, I think it is a motivational factor for the boy to fight harder for his future career as a football." Karim Zito told Pan-Africa Football.
The experienced trainer, who has handled Ghana’s biggest clubs, Kotoko and Hearts of Oak, has urged young players to adhere to coaches advice.
"I think young players should learn to listen and listen to learn from their coaches [because] some of us have been there before. It is a journey you are embarking on. You will never know where you are going until you reach there."
“Some of us the coaches have reached there so definitely when we are saying something to them, they have to listen to us," Karim Zito told Pan Africa-Football.
The winner will be announced during the CAF Awards gala on Monday, December 16 in Marrakech, Morocco.
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