Sadio Mané has won the African Footballer of the Year award at the Caf Awards in Rabat, Morocco. He beat Mo Salah and nine other nominees to claim the prize.
What happened?
Mané's win comes after he led Senegal to their first Africa Cup of Nations title in February and helped the team qualify for the World Cup Qatar 2022. He was voted best player of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Mané and Salah were the clear favourites for the award, having risen to global prominence playing for Liverpool in the English Premier League. They have both won the Caf player of the year award before, with Salah winning twice in 2017 and 2018, and Mané winning once in 2019.
Why it matters for Sadio Mané
Mané's win is a significant achievement, as it recognises his contributions to African football. He has been instrumental in Senegal's success, scoring crucial goals and providing assists.
The award is also a testament to Mané's hard work and dedication to the sport. He grew up in the village of Bambali, Senegal, and began his professional career at 19. He has since become one of the most successful African players in the world.
What comes next?
Mané's win is expected to inspire other African players to work towards achieving their goals. He has paved the way for young players from humble backgrounds to succeed in the sport.
Mané recently joined Bayern Munich in Germany from Liverpool in the UK. He is one of several Africans playing in the English Premier League who made the 2022 shortlist for the African Footballer of the Year award.
The English Premier League dominated the shortlist, with five of the ten nominees playing in the league. However, Senegal came out on top in terms of countries, with three players nominated for the award.
Edouard Mendy, the Senegal and Chelsea goalkeeper, was also a strong contender for the award. He was in the winning teams at the FIFA Club World Cup, AFCON, and the UEFA Supercup, and was named World's Best Goalkeeper in 2021.
Mané's win is a significant milestone in his career, and he will look to continue his success with Bayern Munich and the Senegal national team. He has already made a significant impact on the sport, and his achievements will inspire others to follow in his footsteps.