New Bayern Munich acquisition Sadio Mane has expressed his delight after being named the 2022 African Player of the Year, emulating his idol El Hadji Diouf as the second Senegalese to win back-to-back awards.

The Senegalese forward was an instrumental figure in their historic first Africa Cup of Nations title in February. The former Liverpool attacker, also integral to the Teranga Lions’ qualification for FIFA World Cup in Qatar, beat strong opposition from his countryman Edouard Mendy and former teammate Mohamed Salah.

After scoring 23 goals for Premier League side Liverpool last season, Thursday’s award was Mane’s second following his 2019 Player of Year accolade held in Hurghada, Egypt.

“I am so excited to win this award. Some so many players deserved this award, but I have been chosen. I am honoured. I thank everyone for this,” he told CAF Online.

Four honours for the Teranga Lions of Senegal with Sadio Mane named African Player of the Year, Aliou Cisse Coach of the Year and Pape Matar Sarr Young Player of the Year. Senegal is named National Team of the Year.

Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala wins the record fifth African Player of the Year award. Wydad Athletic Club named African Men’s Club of the Year as Mamelodi Sundowns took home the Women’s Club of the Year.

🇸🇳 @SMane_Officiel of @FCBayernEN becomes the 10th player to win #CAFAwards multiple times.#AfricanFootball

🇨🇲 Eto’o 🏆🏆🏆🏆
🇨🇮 Yaya Toure 🏆🏆🏆🏆
🇱🇷 George Weah 🏆🏆🏆
🇬🇭 Abedi Pele 🏆🏆🏆
🇨🇮 Drogba 🏆🏆
🇨🇲 Roger Milla 🏆🏆
🇪🇬 Mo Salah 🏆🏆
🇳🇬 Kanu 🏆🏆
🇸🇳 Hadji Diouf 🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/k2O0eDmTGv

— Alie Bittar (@bittar32) July 21, 2022

WHAT A NIGHT! 🤩#CAFAwards2022 pic.twitter.com/HjWIxGaDrw

— #CAFAwards2022 (@CAF_Online) July 22, 2022

The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has trimmed the final list of nominees for the CAF Awards 2022.

The African football body also confirmed that the  Awards 2022 will take place in Rabat, Morocco, on 21 July 2022 at 9 pm CAT.

Former Liverpool teammates – Egypt star Mohamed Salah will be up against the Senegal duo of Sadio Mane and keeper Edouard Mendy for the men’s Player of the Year award.

Zambia’s Grace Chanda will compete with four-time winner Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria and Cameroonian Ajara Nchout Njoya in the women’s category.

National Team of the Year (Women)

Caf says due to the absence of a major women’s competition during the period under review, the Organising Team for the CAF Awards 2022 has reviewed the selection process for this important category.

The TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco will be factored as one of the criterion in deciding a winner befitting of the status of the award and women’s football in general. The winner will be announced on 23 July 2022 during the final match of the Women’s AFCON.

Here is the full list of top 3 nominees:

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