Sadio Mane has won a second consecutive African Player of the Year award. The CAF stated: “Sadio Mane is the 2022 African Player of the Year, emulating his idol El Hadji Diouf as the second Senegalese to win back to back awards.”
Mane expressed his joy at this and said, “I cannot explain this. It is so far the best year of Senegalese football. To collect all these awards, you have to believe first. It was hard work and we never stopped dreaming. We continued working hard and finally we got it.”
“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,” he told CAF Online.
The federation added: “The Senegalese forward, who inspired Senegal to their historic first Africa Cup of Nations title in February as well as guiding the Teranga Lions to this year’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar, beat strong opposition from his countryman Edouard Mendy and former Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah.
“The 30-year-old Mane scored 23 goals for Liverpool in all competitions last season before moving to Bayern Munich in Germany this summer.
“Simba’s Senegalese import Pape Sakho also walked away with the Goal of the Year.
“Mane and Senegal will be hoping to continue this spirit in Qatar. When they make their third appearance at the global showpiece.”
