Super Falcons of Nigeria & Barcelona striker Asisat Oshoala and Senegal & FC Bayern Munich striker Sadio Mane have retained their crown as CAF Player of the Year.
Both players were named 2022 CAF Player of the Year in the men and women categories at the ceremony held in Rabat - Morocco on Thursday.
Mane who has moved from Liverpool to Bayern Munich scored the winning penalty as Senegal beat Egypt in a shootout in this year's Africa Cup of Nations final to lift the trophy for the first time.
The CAF awards returned for the first time in three years after being suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"I am very, very happy to receive the trophy this year," Mane, 30, said as he collected his prize.
Mane beat compatriot and Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy as well as former Liverpool team-mate Salah, whose Egypt side lost the final to the award.
"I thank the Senegalese people, and dedicate this trophy to the youth of my country," added Mane, who also helped Senegal reach the World Cup and won two domestic cups with Liverpool.
Nigeria and FC Barcelona talisman Asisat Oshoala, also retained her crown as the best female player of the continent.
The 27-year-old picked the award ahead of Ajara Nchout Njoya (Cameroon and Inter Milan) and Zambia international Grace Chanda (Zambia and BIIK Kazygurt).
With her latest achievement, she becomes the first African to win this prestigious award for a record five times, overtaking Perpetua Nkwocha who claimed the accolade on four occasions.
"It's a record-breaking night for me, as an individual and for Africa as a whole - I've got five today, five!" Oshoala exclaimed.
"2021-22 season was really tough for me as an individual, and I'd like to thank everyone who has stood by me.
"If you don't fall, you don't know the power of comeback and what comeback means," said a player who managed her scoring feats despite a lengthy spell out with injury.
The 2021-22 campaign was arguably Oshoala’s best yet as she played a key role in her Spanish side’s treble charge – the Spanish Women's Super Cup, Copa de la Reina and the Primera Division.
Although, she missed a couple of matches due to injury, that did not stop her from emerging as league joint-top scorer after netting 20 goals in 19 league appearances to share the award with Brazilian Geyse Ferreira, who managed the same number of goals in 27 appearances for Madrid CFF.
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