Sadio Mane has been crowned African Footballer of the Year 2022, ahead of former Liverpool team-mate Mohamed Salah and Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
The Senegal attacker was named the continent’s player of the year at the Café Awards ceremony in Rabat on Thursday. It is the second time Mane has won the award.
Only four other players have won the award in consecutive years, with Mane joining El Hadji Diouf, Samuel Eto’o, Yaya Toure and Salah to claim back-to-back gongs.
Bayern Munich summer signing Mane is now closing in on Eto’o and Toure, who have both won the award four times, a record.
After winning the award, Mane said: “I am really honored to be here for the fifth time and I am delighted to receive this honor tonight.
“I have to thank my colleagues at club level and the national team. I am very emotional, I have no words to express myself.’
Mane played a key role in Senegal’s first win at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, when he scored the decisive penalty that lifted his side of the trophy against Egypt.
The 30-year-old was named Player of the Tournament after Senegal’s emotional victory and also helped his country qualify for the World Cup.
In the home game, Mane had another fantastic season for Liverpool, scoring 23 goals as Jürgen Klopp’s side won the FA Cup and League Cup, reached the Champions League final and finished one point behind Premier League champions Manchester City.
While Mane had a brilliant year for club and country, so did Liverpool striker Salah and Chelsea goalkeeper Mendy.
Salah scored 27 goals and provided 14 assists in all competitions, leading Egypt to the AFCON final and to the brink of the World Cup.
Mendy, meanwhile, proved a solid presence in the goal of African champions Senegal and Chelsea, who reached two domestic rivals and finished third in the Premier League.
Mane ended his six-year partnership with Liverpool earlier this summer, joining German champions Bayern Munich in a deal worth £35million.
Klopp paid tribute to the outgoing star at the time, saying: “It’s a big moment. There’s no point in anyone else trying to pretend.
“One of Liverpool’s best players ever leaves and we have to recognize how important this is.
“He leaves with our gratitude and our love. He leaves with his status with the greats guaranteed. And yes, he is leaving at a time when he is one of the best players in world football.
“But we should not dwell on what we are losing now, but celebrate what we had.
“The goals he scored, the trophies he won; a legend, sure, but also a modern day Liverpool icon.
“I fully respect his decision and I’m sure our supporters do too. If you like LFC you have to like Sadio – non negotiable. It is possible to do this while accepting that our loss is Bayern’s gain.
“We wish him nothing but success in every game he plays, unless of course it’s against us. His star will continue to rise, I don’t doubt it.’
Café Men’s Awards in full
Club of the Year (Men’s) – Wydad Athletic Club
Interclub Player of the Year (Men) – Mohamed El Shenawy (Egypt & Al Ahly)
Young Player of the Year (Men’s) – Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal and Tottenham Hotspur)
National Team of the Year (Men) – Senegal
Goal of the Year- Pape Ousmane Sakho (Senegal & Simba)
Coach of the Year – (Men) – Aliou Cisse (Senegal)
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