The Senegalese, author of an excellent season with Liverpool and his selection, won the distinction for the second time in his career.
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A new reward for Sadio Mané. The Senegalese was named best African player of the year during the CAF Awards ceremony, which was held Thursday, July 21 in Rabat, Morocco, on the sidelines of the women’s CAN. He is ahead of the Egyptian Mohamed Salah, his former partner in Liverpool, and his teammate Edouard Mendy.
AFRICA’S FINEST!
Sadio Mane is the Player of the Year (MEN) for the second time!
#CAFAwards2022 pic.twitter.com/3fsLRbw5YX
— #CAFAwards2022 (@CAF_Online) July 21, 2022
The trophy rewards a remarkable season for the 30-year-old player. Finalist in the Champions League then winner of the FA Cup and the League Cup with Liverpool, for whom he scored 23 goals in all competitions, he also shone with the Senegalese selection, of which he is the captain. He notably led his team to their first African Cup of Nations title in early February, notably by scoring the winning shot on goal against Salah’s Egypt. Under his baton, Senegal also won their ticket to the World Cup in Qatar, beating Egypt (again) in the play-off.
The neo-Bavarian succeeds himself, since he had already won the last trophy, in 2019, before the ceremony was canceled for the past two seasons due to the Covid-19 pandemic. With a small change this season, since the reward is now based on a full season, and more on the calendar year as for the next Ballon d’Or.
Senegal also stands out as the big winner of the CAF Awards, with five awards in total, including best coach of the year for Aliou Cissé, best young player of the year for Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham) and best team of the year.