The games came thick and fast, filling the schedule so tight that it felt like the only thing that could stop it was Christmas.
But for Sam, something else stepped it first, the CAF Awards Ceremony. CAF is the Confederation of African Football, the governing body for football in Africa.
Marrakech shimmered under golden lights.
The Palais des Congrès, transformed for the evening, throbbed with the rhythm of drums and the flash of cameras.
Africa's football royalty gathered here, from legends in sharp suits, to icons of the women's game in flowing gowns, dignitaries, coaches, and players whose names carried decades of history.
This was the CAF Awards Ceremony, the continent's night of honor.
On the red carpet, stars dazzled. Didier Drogba posed with wide grins, Samuel Eto'o shook hands with fans, while Yaya Touré spoke calmly to reporters about the new generation.
Osimhen arrived in a crisp black tuxedo suit, Salah in pristine white, while Riyad Mahrez arrived in royal blue.
