Sadio Mane won the top prize at the 22nd CAF Awards Ceremony, which took place last Thursday in Rabat, Morocco.
As Patrice Motsepe announced Sadio Mane as the winner of the African Footballer of the Year Award, the Senegalese superstar had a broad smile on his face and was overcome with delight.
The superstar from Senegal kept the African Footballer of the Year Award, joining the Hall of Fame of Greats who have won several awards.
For the honour of 2022 African Player of the Year, Sadio defeated Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, his individual and group achievements since the beginning of the year, when he assisted Teranga Lions in their third try at achieving their first continental victory.
Senegal was sent to their third World Cup finals after winning the AFCON at Egypt’s expense, marking the first time they would qualify for the event on consecutive occasions.
It was undeniable, and the Bayern striker joins Mohamed Salah as the only active player to have won the prize more than once, he is now the 10th African to do so.
After the award, the Teranga Lions of Senegal skipper spoke with CAF Online, “I am so excited to win this award, there are so many players that deserved this award, but I have been chosen. I am honoured and I thank everyone for this.
As spectators have grown accustomed to the 30-year-old, the humility was anticipated, therefore, it came as little surprise when the attacker, just like he had done following 2019’s victory, downplayed royalty rumours once more on Thursday.
Mane has refrained from screaming his own accolades, preferring to leave that to the press and observers instead of blowing his own trumpet.
Mane helped Liverpool win the FA Cup in the 2021–2022 season while scoring 23 goals and dishing out five assists, at the conclusion of the season, Mane joined Bayern.
