Sadio Mané has been named African Player of the Year, beating fellow Liverpool forward Mo Salah and Man City’s Riyad Mahrez to the award.
“To be honest, I would love to play football more than to be in front of many important people to speak because football is my job,” said the Senegalese star. “I love it, but speeches are not, by the way!
“I am really happy and at the same time I am really proud to win this award. I would like to thank my family, especially my uncle who is here and my coach, Aliou Cisse. My national teammates and the staff at the federation, Liverpool Football Club and my teammates, the staff and everybody.
“It’s a big day for me. I would love to thank all the Senegalese people – they have been following me all the time, they push me. And my village, I come from a very small village called Bambali, I’m sure they are all watching on TV. Again, I am really happy and very proud to win this.”
