Sadio Mane has been named CAF Footballer of the Year, beating fellow Teranga Lions teammate, Edouard Mendy and former Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah to the award.
Mane who recently joined Bundesliga champions, Bayern Munich had a great 2021 as he led Senegal to their first continental title, consecutive World Cup appearance and played a key role in Liverpool’s quadruple bid, albeit it didn’t end as planned.
The award is Mane’s second as he becomes the fifth African to win the award in consecutive years since Caf took over the distribution of the award in 1992. Others are El Hadji Diouf, Samuel Eto’o, Yaya Toure, and Salah.
The 30-year-old forward scored the decisive penalty kick against Egypt in the AFCON final earlier this year in Cameroon.
“I am really honoured and highly delighted to receive this award again,” he said after picking up his prize.
“Thanks to my coaches, my club and national team colleagues and those friends who stood by me during difficult times.”
Mane was not the only Senegalese member to pick up an award as head coach of the Lions of Teranga Aliou Cisse was named Men’s Coach of the Year.
