Sadio Mane was named African Footballer of Year following a season in which he kicked the triumphing penalty for Senegal as they secured their first Africa Cup of Nations title and repeated the feat when they claimed World Cup qualification.
Mane concluded before Egyptian striker Mohamed Salah, his former Liverpool team mate, and teammate Edouard Mendy in the voting.
It was the 2nd time Mane, 30, who last month united with German champions Bayern Munich, has triumphed the award.
He was the last winner of the award in 2019. The Confederation of African Football did not hold it over of the last 2 years and has now changed to recognising accomplishments over the season rather than the calendar year.
Mane turned the winning penalty in February as Senegal defeat Egypt in the Cup of Nations final in Yaounde, showcasing the talisman as his country took a first ever African title.
Six weeks later, he struck the pivotal spot-kick as Mane again edged Egypt in a penalty shootout to triumph a place at the World Cup finals in Qatar.
Mane also finished before Salah in the 2019 voting.
Salah, 30, triumphed the award in 2017 and 2018 with Mane second on both events.
“I dedicate this award to the youth of Senegal. I’m very emotional and don’t have the words to express how I’m feeling,” Mane notified the audience at the CAF awards in Rabat.
