The African continental federation CAF has elected its best in the Moroccan capital Rabat! From the best male and female players to the best young players, coaches and team – here are all the winners!
The list of nominees shows how much potential there’s in Africa’s soccer. Whether it’s Ryad Mahrez, Karl Toko Ekambi, Vincent Aboubakar, Sebastien Haller, Mo Salah, Naby Keita, Achraf Hakimi, Edouard Mendy or Kalidou Koulibaly – each of them deserves the award with their outstanding performances in the 2021/2022 season. But last year’s winner Sadio Mané has once again outshone his rivals for the title. He is winning it for the second time. Bayern Munich’s new star striker left his new team’s training camp in the USA to receive the trophy. However, Mané received the award primarily for his performances in the FC Liverpool jersey. He was also a part of the Senegal team that won the African Cup of Nations in early 2022.
The award for best women’s player went to Nigerian Asisat Oshoala of FC Barcelona. Ghanaian Evelyn Badu who now plays for Norwegian top club Avaldsnes IL, was named the best young player.
But you don’t always have to look to Europe to find good African soccer. The African continent itself also has some outstanding players, for whom there’s even a separate category at the CAF Awards. Here, Egyptian Mohamed El Shenaway of Egyptian champions Al Ahly won the title, beating out some of his teammates like Aliou Dieng of Mali and South African Percy Tau. Moroccans Achraf Dari, Yahya Jabrane and Zouhair El Moutaraji of new CAF Champions League winners Wydad Casablanca also came away empty-handed. However, Wydad won the award for the best men’s team of the year. In the women’s competition, Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa deservedly won the title. Their coach Desiree Ellis was named the best coach in women’s soccer. Once again Evelyn Badu took the title for her great last season with Hasaacas Ladies.
The award for best young player went to 19-year-old Pape Matar Sarr of Senegal. Sakho recently joined FC Metz in the French Ligue 1. His fellow contenders for the title were Dango Ouattara of FC Lorient, Karim Konate of RB Salzburg, Kamaldeen Sulemana of Stade Rennes and Hannibal Mejbri of Manchester United.
There was a surprise in the vote for coach of the year. Many expected Champions League winner Walid Regragui of Wydad Casablanca to win. Instead, Allou Cissé, who led the Senegalese national team to the African Cup of Nations title and will also ensure Senegal’s success at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, was chosen. Senegal also won the award for the best national team.
Finally, the best goal by an African player of the year was also awarded. It was scored by Pape Ousmane Sakho with a spectacular overhead kick to make it 1-0 in the match between his former club Simba SC of Tanzania and ASEC Mimosas.
