Sadio Mane bags African player of the year award

Senegal's Sadio Mane was named African Footballer of the Year for the second consecutive year  at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) awards ceremony in Rabat, Morocco.

In this year's Africa Cup of Nations final, Senegal defeated Egypt in a shootout and won the trophy for the first time thanks to Mane's game-winning penalty.

The honours were reinstated after being suspended for three years due to the coronavirus pandemic, and Nigeria's Asisat Oshoala also retained the title she won in 2019.

"I am very, very happy to receive the trophy this year. I thank the Senegalese people, and dedicate this trophy to the youth of my country," Mane said as he collected his prize.

Mane defeated former Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah, whose Egypt squad lost the final in February, as well as a fellow countryman and Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

After a memorable evening for the West African country, Senegal won five awards in a total of seven men's categories. Mane's win was one of them.

Pape Sarr was awarded young player of the year, while another Senegalese, Pape Ousmane Sakho, earned the best goal for his overhead kick for the Tanzanian team Simba. Veteran Senegalese manager Aliou Cisse received coach of the year, while his team was named men's team of the year.