He won the UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) Champions League with his club Liverpool, and he led Senegal to the Africa Cup of Nations final. As a result, Sadio Mane has been named the 2019 African Player of the Year.
Sadio Mane is the second Senegalese footballer to win the African Player of the Year award. El Hadji Diouf was the first Senegalese winner. Sadio Mane won the award for the first time on Tuesday, (7th January). But In 2017 and 2018, he was a runner-up to his Liverpool team-mate Mohamed Salah of Egypt.
However, Sadio Mane scored 34 goals and produced 12 assists in 61 matches Last season. And Salah scored 26 goals and produced 10 assists in 55 appearances.
The Confederation of African Football ceremony was held in the city of Hurghada in Egypt.
Also, The 27 year old footballer, was also named premiere league’s best player by Spanish footballer, Cesc Fabregas.
The footballer says that he loves his job. “Football is my job, I love it. I am really happy and proud to win this award, I would like to thank all the Senegalese people, they push always me. I must also thank my (Senegal) coach, Aliou Cisse and Liverpool, all my team mates there.” -Sadio Mane said.
The footballer finished ahead of Riyad Mahrez and Salah in a poll of national team coaches and captains. Hence he was handed his award at the Confederation of African Football’s annual gala in Hurgada, Egypt.
Mane started his football career at the age of 15. He joined Liverpool in 2016.