Liverpool forward Sadio Mane was named as Africa’s Player of the Year for 2019 for the first time at the award festival in Egypt.
The 27-year-old Mane was up against his fellow clubmate Mohamed Salah, and the Egyptian was the recipient of the trophy for the past two years as well as Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez.
Mane enjoyed a stellar season with Liverpool as he won the Champions League title, the UEFA Super Cup as well as the FIFA Club World Cup and he also won the Golden Boot in the Premier League following 22 goals in England’s top flight.
The Senegalese star spoke out on receiving his award and expressed his delight, “I am really happy and at the same time I am really proud to win this award. It’s a big day for me”
According to the CAF stats, Mane scored 34 goals and notched up 12 assists in 61 appearances during 2019 and also reached the final of the AFCON.
Mane has had a sensational start to the new Premier League season as well being an imperative member for the Merseyside giants in a bid to end Liverpool’s 30-year drought for a league title.
