Chelsea Star Snubbed as Sadio Mane Reclaims Top Award in Africa

• Sadio Mane has once again been crowned Senegal's best football player
• The Bayern Munich star reclaimed the Jules Francois Bocande trophy
• Mane led the Lions of Teranga to their first-ever AFCON trophy in 2022

Bayern Munich winger, Sadio Mane has been voted the best Senegalese player abroad for the seventh time.

The former Liverpool star reclaimed the Jules Francois Bocande trophy after losing it to Chelsea goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy in 2021.

The 30-year-old attacker beat Mendy's Chelsea teammate, Kalidou Koulibaly and Boulaye Dia to win the coveted trophy.

The award was presented to Mane in Munich by a delegation from the National Association of the Sports Press of Senegal (ANPS) led by its president, Abdoulaye Thiam, as reported by 13Football.

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The Bavarians' star led Senegal to their first-ever AFCON triumph in 2022 after scoring the winning penalty in the final against Egypt. He was named the best player of the tournament after scoring three goals and providing two assists.

The former Liverpool star also inspired the Teranga Lions to qualify for the World Cup in 2022 but missed the competition due to injury.

Before leaving the Reds in the summer, Mane co-starred with Mohamed Salah, as they led the team to a domestic double of the FA Cup and the EFL Cup.

Mane thanked the association and his teammates for helping him make history last year. He recently returned from injury and played a role as the German giants eliminated Paris-Saint Germain from the UEFA Champions League.

Mane places 6th at awards

Sports Brief also reported on FIFA's The Best Awards on February 27 ending with arguably the greatest player of all-time, Lionel Messi winning the top prize.

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Three African players were included in a list of the world's 15 best footballers, including the star of both Senegal and Bayern Munich.

Mane placed sixth on the list, the highest by an African player at the 2022 awards ceremony, despite missing the World Cup in Qatar.

Mane remains positive about Liverpool

Sports Brief also reported on Mane remaining optimistic that Liverpool will bounce back despite their troubled season so far.

The Senegalese forward left the Reds in the summer window to join Bayern Munich after six successful seasons at Anfield.

Following his departure, the English giants have struggled for consistency and are currently sixth on the Premier League table.