As the evening drew on attentions turned to Ghana, where the winner of the African Football of the Year award was announced by African football association CAF.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who was awarded the honour two years ago and was one of the top three nominees again this time around, had to settle for third place in 2017, having finished behind Liverpool pair Mohammed Salah and Sadio Mané. Aubameyang attended the ceremony and is expected to join the squad in Marbella at some point on Friday. (jpk)