By John Essien
Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane has been named the 2022 African Player of the Year.
The Senegal international won the prize ahead of Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy,
After claiming the prestigious prize at the CAF Awards ceremony in Rabat on Thursday, Mane became the fifth African after El Hadji Diouf, Samuel Eto’o, Yaya Toure, and Salah to win the award in consecutive years since CAF took over the distribution of the award in 1992.
Prior to his move to Bayern Munich in a €41 million (£35m/$43m) transfer, Mane enjoyed a superb 2021-22 season with Liverpool – helping them win the FA Cup and Carabao Cup as well as playing a crucial role in their Uefa Champions League runners-up finish.
He scored 16 Premier League goals, two in the FA Cup and five in the Champions League. Overall, he accounted for 33 goals and five assists in the period in review.
On the international scene, Mane propelled the Lions of Teranga to win their maiden Africa Cup of Nations – scoring the crucial penalty that downed Egypt inside Olembe Stadium in Yaounde, after a 0-0 draw through 120 minutes.
In the female category, Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala won the best African Woman Footballer of the year.
Oshoola saw off competition from Cameroon’s Ajara Nchout Njoya and Zambia’s Grace Chanda to be crowned the queen of African football for a record fifth time in a row. The triumph surpasses Perpetua Nkwocha, a former Falcons striker’s record who won the award four times in a row.
The Barcelona forward had been adjudged the best African female football in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2019.
Senegal and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Pape Matar Sarr picked the Young Player of the Year award ahead of Hannibal Mejbri (Tunisia & Manchester United) and Karim Konate (Cote d’Ivoire & ASEC/RB Salzburg).
Men’s Awards in Full
Club of the Year (Men) – Wydad Athletic Club
Interclub Player of the Year (Men) – Mohamed El Shenawy (Egypt & Al Ahly)
Young Player of the Year (Men) – Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal & 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)
