Egypt’s Mohamed Salah Tuesday night was crowned CAF Player of the Year for 2018 to mske it two in succession.
At a colourful gala award in Dakar, Senegal, the Liverpool striker beats off challenges from his club mate Sadio Mane of Senegal and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Gabon to retain the title he won in 2017.
It was the second time in succession that the trio battled for the award which was a reward for their brilliant outing especially with their Premier League clubs.
Salah and Mane were instrumental to Liverpool’s run to the final of the Champions League where the Reds lost 3-1 to Real Madrid in Kiev.
2015 winner Aubameyang, on his part, had a big impact for London club Arsenal in his first season in the Premier League.
The women’s title was won by South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana at the expense of Nigerian duo of Asisat Oshoala and Francesca Ordega. Her feat ended the two-year reign of China-based Oshoala.
It was double joy for the 22-year-old as her mid-volley against Nigeria in the group match of the 2018 AFCON was voted the Goal of the Year. “I dedicate this award to all the female football players in South Africa,” she said.
The Super Falcons were named the Women’s team of the year with Mauritania clinching the men’s version. Desiree Ellis of South Africa and Herve Renard of Morocco were named women and men’s Coach of the year respectively.
Morocco FA clinched the best Federation title just as Achraf Hakimi of Morocco bagged the young player of the year beating Wilfred Ndidi of Nigeria and Andre Onana of Cameroon to cap a memorable night for the North African country.
