Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time after defeating Egypt in a penalty shootout with a goal from Mane.
The honors were reinstated after being suspended for three years due to the coronavirus epidemic, and Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala also kept the title she earned in 2019.
Mane, 30, stated as he accepted his award, “I am very glad to earn the trophy this year.
Mane defeated former Liverpool teammate Salah, whose Egypt squad lost the final in February, and fellow countryman and Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
Mane, who also assisted Senegal in qualifying for the World Cup and won two domestic trophies with Liverpool, said, “I thank the Senegalese people and dedicate this trophy to the young of my nation.”
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After a memorable evening for the West African country, Senegal won five awards in 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 Tanzanian club Simba.
Veteran Senegalese manager Aliou Cisse received coach of the year, while his squad was named men’s team of the year.
The head of the Senegal football organization, Augustin Senghor, said, “We waited a long time for this Nations Cup.” “To all the teams who haven’t yet won (the tournament), we are a positive example.”
Sarr earned an accolade previously won by Salah following his season on loan with French club Metz, beating out Red Bull Salzburg’s Ivorian Karim Konate and Manchester United’s Tunisian Hannibal Mejbri. Sarr made just one appearance during Senegal’s historic Nations Cup victory.
Numerous legendary players from the African game were there for the awards ceremony at the Mohamed VI complex, including Daniel Amokachi, Lucas Radebe, Jay-Jay Okocha, Geremi Njitap, and the Senegalese tandem of El Hadji Diouf and Khalilou Fadiga. He joined Mane in celebrating on stage.
Wydad Casablanca, the reigning African and Moroccan champions won club of the year for the second consecutive year. At the same time, Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy, whose Nations Cup was cut short due to injury, was awarded interclub player of the year.
