Sadio Mane claims African Player of the Year

Senegal international Sadio Mane has been named as the CAF African Player of the Year for 2019. He is the third Liverpool player to earn the award in as many years.

After Yaya Toure's four consecutive award wins came to an end in 2015, Riyad Mahrez, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mohamed Salah (twice) have had their hands on the award.

This was the first time that the Liverpool forward was labeled as the African Player of the Year at a ceremony in Egypt.

The 27-year-old had a fabulous year, winning the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup with the Reds and he also shared the Premier League Golden Boot with teammate Salah and Arsenal's Aubameyang scoring 22 goals.

When it comes to all competitions Mane scored 35 goals in 53 appearances. After receiving the award Mane said," I'm really happy and proud to win this. Football is my job, I love it. I would like to thank my family, my national team, staff, the federation and Liverpool football club. It's a big day for me."

Mane has been a very strong influence in the Liverpool squad and has got Liverpool through the line a number of times.

In the UCL final against Real Madrid at Cardiff, he was Liverpool's only goal scorer as they lost 3-1 in a famous game, which made the headlines because of the goalkeeping errors by Loris Karius, who was loaned thereafter.

Mane also made the African Team of the Year alongside teammates Mohamed Salah and Joel Matip.

Liverpool are on their dream run of winning the Premier League with a strong first-half finish. Liverpool are also a part of the Champions League with a clash against Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid in the next month.

A Merseyside victory against Carlo Ancelotti helped Liverpool to become a part of the FA Cup fourth round with the draws to be decided after the matches are done.

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