At the Confederation of African Football (Caf) awards ceremony in Rabat, Morocco, Senegal’s Sadio Mane was named African Footballer of the Year for the second consecutive year.
In this year’s Africa Cup of Nations final, Senegal defeated Egypt in a shootout and won the trophy for the first time thanks to Mane’s game-winning penalty.
The honors were reinstated after being suspended for three years due to the coronavirus pandemic, and Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala also kept the title she won in 2019.
“I am very, very happy to receive the trophy this year,” Mane, 30, said as he collected his prize.
Mane beat compatriot and Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy as well as former Liverpool team-mate Mohamed Salah, whose Egypt side lost February’s final.
“I thank the Senegalese people, and dedicate this trophy to the youth of my country,” added Mane, who also helped Senegal reach the World Cup and won two domestic cups with Liverpool.
After a memorable evening for the West African country, Senegal won five awards in a total of seven men’s categories. Mane’s win was one of them.