BreakingNews·200110-Sadio Mane named African footballer of the year
Sadio Mane named African footballer of the year
Senegal's Sadio Mane has been named as the Confederation of African Football's Player of the Year. Nigeria and Barcelona forward Asisat Oshoala was named the African Women's Player of the Year. Mane, 27, edged out his Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah to scoop the award. Mane was key in helping his team Liverpool win the Champions League in 2019 and finish runners-up in England's Premier League. He was prolific in attack and scored 30 goals in all competitions during the 2018-19 season. Mane was also the co-winner of last season's Premier League Golden Boot, which is awarded to the league's top goalscorer. He shared this award with Salah and Arsenal's striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Mane was ecstatic at winning the award. He had finished second and third in the previous two seasons and it is the fourth time he has been shortlisted for the accolade. He told football journalists at the awards ceremony in Egypt: "I'm really happy and proud to win this. Football is my job. I love it. I would like to thank my family, my national team, staff, the federation and Liverpool Football Club." He added: "I would like to thank all of the Senegalese who supported me during my journey....They will be glad watching me win this award, especially the people in my village whom I promised I would win Player of the Year. I cannot describe my feelings after winning this award and these emotions which surround me in Egypt."
