Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane has won the CAF Player of the Year award for 2022.
This award is normally an annual thing but has not been held since 2019 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mane was the last winner and the Bayern man has now retained his trophy, fending off competition from former Liverpool team-mate Mohamed Salah and Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
“I’m really honoured and really delighted to receive this honour this evening. I want to thank the president of the Senegalese Football Federation and Aliou Cisse, my coach, and without forgetting my team-mates at club and international level,” Mane said. “I’m emotional. I don’t have the words to express myself.
“I dedicate this trophy to the youth of my country.”
Mane played a major role in Senegal’s triumph at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, netting three goals and two assists en route to the final, where he scored the winning penalty to see off Salah’s Egypt.
Barcelona’s Asisat Oshoala picked up the Women’s Player of the Year prize, winning the award for a record fifth time.
The Young Player of the Year award went to Tottenham’s Pape Matar Sarr, who managed one goal and three assists on loan with Metz in Ligue 1 last season.
