By 
Senegal
and Liverpool forward Sadio Mane was awarded the African best player 2019 at an
event in the Egyptian city of Hurghada on January 7. He became the final
awardee for the decade 2010 – 2019.
and Liverpool forward Sadio Mane was awarded the African best player 2019 at an
event in the Egyptian city of Hurghada on January 7. He became the final
awardee for the decade 2010 – 2019.
He
succeeds Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah who was also shortlisted along with
Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez who led Algeria to AFCON glory in 2019. Both contenders were
absent at the ceremony.
succeeds Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah who was also shortlisted along with
Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez who led Algeria to AFCON glory in 2019. Both contenders were
absent at the ceremony.
Mane
received the award from the president of the Confederation of African
Football, CAF, Ahmad Ahmad. On
stage was the first award winner for the decade, Samuel Eto’o of Cameroon won
his fourth award in 2010 when he was with Italian side Inter Milan.
received the award from the president of the Confederation of African
Football, CAF, Ahmad Ahmad. On
stage was the first award winner for the decade, Samuel Eto’o of Cameroon won
his fourth award in 2010 when he was with Italian side Inter Milan.
Mane
helped his club side win the UEFA Champions League in the 2018/2019 season and was captain
of the Senegal side that lost the 2019 AFCON to Algeria in Egypt.
helped his club side win the UEFA Champions League in the 2018/2019 season and was captain
of the Senegal side that lost the 2019 AFCON to Algeria in Egypt.
This
was the fourth straight time that he had been shortlisted for the award. He
lost in 2016 to Gabons Aubameyang (at the time with Dortmund). Then missed out
to Salah twice in 2017 and 2018. Many analysts projected after the AFCON that this was his year despite the final
loss.
was the fourth straight time that he had been shortlisted for the award. He
lost in 2016 to Gabons Aubameyang (at the time with Dortmund). Then missed out
to Salah twice in 2017 and 2018. Many analysts projected after the AFCON that this was his year despite the final
loss.
The
final African best player for the last decade (2010 – 2019) will be decided
tonight in Egypt’s Hurghada at the annual Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards.
final African best player for the last decade (2010 – 2019) will be decided
tonight in Egypt’s Hurghada at the annual Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards.
All
winners in the different categories will represent a special group, the final
awardees for the decade. As usual, all eyes are on the African Footballer of
the Year award.
winners in the different categories will represent a special group, the final
awardees for the decade. As usual, all eyes are on the African Footballer of
the Year award.
The CAF shortlist released in December 2019
revealed the top three contenders in the category as: Liverpool pair Sadio Mane
(Senegal) and Mohamed Salah (Egypt), plus Riyad Mahrez from Manchester City
(Algeria).
revealed the top three contenders in the category as: Liverpool pair Sadio Mane
(Senegal) and Mohamed Salah (Egypt), plus Riyad Mahrez from Manchester City
(Algeria).
Who won what on the night:
12.
African Player of the Year: Sadio Mane, Senegal / Liverpool
African Player of the Year: Sadio Mane, Senegal / Liverpool
11. Best Women’s Player of the Year: Asisat Oshoala, Nigeria / Barcelona FC
10. African club president of the Year: Moise Katumbi, CEO of TP Mazembe
9. Federation of the Year: Egyptian Football Association
8. Djamel Belmadi: Men’s African Coach of the Year
7. Diseree Ellis: Women’s African Coach of the Year
6. Special Award: Ex-Togolese intl Kodjovi Obilale, victim of 2010 Cabinda
massacre
massacre
5. Goal of the Year: Riyad Mahrez strike against Nigeria in AFCON semis
4. Men’s Team – Algeria
3. Women’s Team of the Year – Cameroon
2. Youth Player of the year – Achraf Hakimi MAR
1. Interclub player of the year – Youcef Beilali ALG
Senegal talisman Mane has been tagged as favourite for the award
which will be his first after making the shortlist for three times in a row.
Salah had won the award in the two previous years – 2018 and 2019. Mahrez on
the other hand won the ward in 2016 after helping Leicester City to the Premier
League title.
which will be his first after making the shortlist for three times in a row.
Salah had won the award in the two previous years – 2018 and 2019. Mahrez on
the other hand won the ward in 2016 after helping Leicester City to the Premier
League title.
Talk
of Mane’s victory has heightened given that he is the only candidate currently
in Egypt. Teammate Salah with whom they powered Liverpool to the Champions
League did not make the trip.
of Mane’s victory has heightened given that he is the only candidate currently
in Egypt. Teammate Salah with whom they powered Liverpool to the Champions
League did not make the trip.
The
other candidate, Mahrez, who won the 2018/2019 Premier League with City and
also captained Algeria to the Africa Cup of Nations title in mid-year, is also
not attending according to reports.
other candidate, Mahrez, who won the 2018/2019 Premier League with City and
also captained Algeria to the Africa Cup of Nations title in mid-year, is also
not attending according to reports.
How nominees are picked, voting process
The
nominees were selected by a panel of technical experts from the Confederation
of African Football plus former players and media.
nominees were selected by a panel of technical experts from the Confederation
of African Football plus former players and media.
The
coaches and captains of the 54 African national teams will now vote for the
winner, to be announced on Jan. 7 at a ceremony at Hurgada in Egypt.
coaches and captains of the 54 African national teams will now vote for the
winner, to be announced on Jan. 7 at a ceremony at Hurgada in Egypt.
The
award winners for each category will be announced during the CAF Awards
ceremony on Tuesday, 7 January 2020, at the Albatros Citadel Sahl Hasheesh,
Hurghada, Egypt.
award winners for each category will be announced during the CAF Awards
ceremony on Tuesday, 7 January 2020, at the Albatros Citadel Sahl Hasheesh,
Hurghada, Egypt.
Cameroon’s
Ajara Nchout, Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala and South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana are
the top contenders in the women’s player of the year category.
Ajara Nchout, Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala and South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana are
the top contenders in the women’s player of the year category.
Football
loving fans across the continent can vote for the Goal of the Year at the CAF website,
choosing from a spectacular list that includes Amanda Mthandi’s goal for South
Africa against Zimbabwe in the 2019 COSAFA Women’s Championship.
loving fans across the continent can vote for the Goal of the Year at the CAF website,
choosing from a spectacular list that includes Amanda Mthandi’s goal for South
Africa against Zimbabwe in the 2019 COSAFA Women’s Championship.
Other
contenders for best goal include Mahrez’ stunning freekick against Nigeria at AFCON.
contenders for best goal include Mahrez’ stunning freekick against Nigeria at AFCON.
sorce: africanews.com
