The Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot) president Samuel Eto’o believes Senegal star Sadio Mane has done enough to win the Africa Footballer of the Year Award.
Recall that in 2021, the Senegal forward was crowned African Player of the Year after helping his country win the first AFCON title.
He repeated the same feat again in 2025 by leading the Teranga Lions to win the AFCON title after defeating Morocco 1-0 in the final on Sunday in Rabat.
In a chat with FRANCE24, the former Barcelona forward backed Mane as a strong contender for the African Footballer of the Year award.
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He also praised Mané’s influence both on and off the field, most especially in a tense moment when his teammates threatened to walk off the pitch following a controversial late penalty awarded to Morocco after Brahim Diaz was fouled in the 18-yard box.
“Sadio Mane not only contributed to winning the tournament but also to saving the image of the national team, because leaving the pitch would have had very serious consequences for Senegal.
“Sadio is one of the greatest heroes of our continent, and I send him special respect for his morals and leadership qualities. I am honoured to consider him a friend, and his role in leading his teammates to victory was exceptional.
“I hope he achieves another African Footballer Of The Year because what he did, especially his behaviour yesterday, is the act of a great leader.”
1 Comment
Samuel eto is just envious of osimhen…
If not tell why he couldn’t notice and come out to commend osimhen’s great leadership trait when he shouted at lookman for being too selfish…And he even showed more leadership skills by leading his teammates to win bronze….