Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez has congratulated Liverpool forward Sadio Mane for winning the 2019 African Player of the Year award.
Mahrez, who was in the running for his second Player of the Year award, finished third behind Senegalese star and second-placed Mohamed Salah.
Despite missing the big prize, the 28-year-old’s stunning free-kick against Nigeria in the semi-final of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations was selected as the Goal of the Year, but he was not available to pick up his prize.
During the ceremony, Mahrez was in action for Manchester City in a League Cup game against Manchester United, where he scored a goal in his side’s 3-1 win and he has cited club commitments as a reason for his absence and he hopes to win the next award.
“Congratulations to Sadio for his trophy well deserved and sorry I couldn’t come but I had to start scoring for the 2020 trophy. See you next year,” Mahrez tweeted.
