Lasun Alagbe
Sadio Mane finally escaped from the shadow of his teammate at Liverpool, Mohammed Salah, on Tuesday when he emerged winner of the African Footballer of the Year 2019.
For some years, he had watched Salah grab the crest and limelight even when the emerges finalists at competitions.
The table, however, turned in Salah’s Egypt when Mane triumphed, a feat that many believe he truly deserves.
Apart from his exploits on the pitch, a lot of people will remember how he carries himself humbly but spreads his wealth for the benefit of his people.
He remains one of the most philanthropic contemporary African players to the extent that he speaks loudly against leading an extravagant life in the midst of millions in need.
On the road to the victory, mane won the Champions League with Liverpool and leading Senegal to the Africa Cup of Nations final.
As Reuters/NAN also notes, Mane, 27, won the award for the first time after finishing runner-up to his Liverpool Salah in 2017 and 2018. He was third in 2016.
He is only the second Senegalese to win the award after El Hadji Diouf, who was the winner in 2001 and 2002.
