Liverpool’s Mane Beats Salah, Mahrez To CAF Footballer Of The Year Award 

The Senegal international has been crowned the best player on the continent ahead of Reds teammate Mo Salah and Manchester City forward Riyad Mahrez.

Following an incredible 2018/19 season where he played a crucial role as Liverpool claimed the UEFA Champions League, Sadio Mane has been declared the winner of the 2019 CAF Best Player of the Year award. He beats the equally fantastic duo of Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah and Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez to the honour.

It's official! 🥇

The African Player of the Year for 2⃣0⃣1⃣9⃣ is #SadioMane

What an achievement for the Senegalese winger! 🇸🇳 #CAFAwards2019 pic.twitter.com/BwFBBxFBR1

— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 7, 2020

Mane is a deserved winner having enjoyed a spectacular campaign where he finished as the Premier League’s joint-top goalscorer in the 2018–19 season with 22 goals.

At the tail end of last year, the 27-year-old also finished fourth in the race for the Ballon d’Or and fifth for The Best FIFA Men’s Player award. Even Messi voted for Mane to win the 2019 Best FIFA Men’s Player with the Barcelona great stating that “Mané achieved a great year that was exceptional for the entire Liverpool team. That’s why I chose him”.

👑 #SadioMane #CAFAwards2019 pic.twitter.com/FL9qCVvS3B

— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 7, 2020

The former Metz forward was also impressive for his country in the year under review as he led Senegal to a runners-up finish at the 2019 African Cup of Nations hosted by Egypt.

A wonderful year ended on a high for Sadio Mane in December when his Liverpool side edged Brazilian champions Flamengo to the FIFA Club World Cup trophy to become the champions of the world.

Congratulations, Mane; the 2019 CAF Footballer Of The Year.