African Player of the Year: Mane’s victory lights up Senegal

From cities, through towns to
rural areas across Senegal,
the CAF Awards 2019 dom-
inated discussions at all levels as
Sadio Mane was crowned African
Player of the Year on Tuesday in
Hurghada.
It was the key subject in major
media discussions from the print
media, radio and television which
set the tone for the coronation of
Mane, a wonderful 2019 season
with his club, Liverpool and the
Senegal national team.
Sports daily, ‘Stades’ which trans-
lates to English ‘Stadia’ carried the
banner headline “Sadio – corona-
tion time” for the Tuesday edition
clearly capturing the anticipatory
mood of the entire country who
clearly believed the topmost indi-
vidual honour in African football
was destined for the talismanic
forward this time.
And when CAF President Ah-
mad Ahmad announced the name
of the winner, the West African
country erupted into ecstasy.
The birthplace of Mane, Bambali,
was besieged by many media out-
lets and served as a hub. The cer-
emony was broadcast live by the
biggest television channel in Sene-
gal, RTS 1, Mane was deservingly
crowned the continent’s best.
“We do not have the words to
thank Sadio (Mane) who has
brought be attention of the village
in the best positive way, a local res-
ident told public broadcaster, Ra-
dio Senegal.
On his part,
Senegal’s Minis-
ter of Youth and
Sports, Matar Ba
said: “Sadio has
fought his way
to progress and
to become the
best player on
the continent.
He has always
grinded his teeth
in the face of dif-
ficulties to move
forward”.
“Faced with
difficulties, he
fought, last year,
at home, he did
not win but that
did not prevent him from fighting
to get this crown. This is the lesson
that we must take from his corona-
tion,” Ba added.
El Hadj Diouf has been the only
Senegalese to win the honour,
completing a double – 2001 and
2002.