By Tilda Acorlor.
Senegal’s Sadio Mane has been named 2021 Africa Cup of Nation’s (AFCON) Most Outstanding Player after aiding the Lions of Teranga to their first-ever AFCON at the Olembe Stadium in Yaounde.
Mane and his teammates were incredible throughout the tournament as they emerged from Group B which housed Guinea, Zimbabwe, and Malawi. They finished with five points to make the Round of 16.
Aliou Cisse’s men then overcame Cape Verde 2-0 at the Kouekong Stadium in Bafoussam to book a quarter-final spot with Equatorial Guinea.
Senegal silenced Equatoguineans by 3-1 in the quarter-final to set up a clash with Burkina Faso for the semis.
The Semi-final clash with Burkina Faso was an epic performance that ended 3-1 to set an AFCON Final and eventually made history with a first-ever AFCON trophy.
Other individual awards on the big night went to Egypt’s Goalkeeper, Mohamed Abou Gabal. He saved two penalty kicks, he was named the best player of the final.
Cameroun’s Vincent Aboubakar took home the Golden Boot of the tournament. He scored eight goals for the Indomitable Lions.
Edouard Mendy was also named the Best Goalkeeper of the tournament. He kept five clean sheets.
He was the FIFA Men’s Best Goalkeeper, an award he won while on national duty at the AFCON in Cameron, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura presented his award to him.
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