Ex-Super Eagles Striker Tips Mane For ‘African Player Of The Year’

Former Super Eagles striker, Victor Ikpeba has tipped Liverpool and Senegal forward, Sadio Mane, to emerged the 2019 African Footballer of the Year.

Naija News reports that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Sunday released a 30-man shortlist for the 2019 African Player of the Year award.

It was gathered that the award is billed to hold in Cairo, Egypt on Tuesday, January 7, 2020.

Recall that Egyptian winger, Mohamed Salah beat Sadio Mane and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to the prize last year.

Speaking on the award, Victor Ikpeba said Mane would win it ahead of the trio of Odion Ighalo, Wilfred Ndidi and Victor Osimhen.

He said: “The Senegalese star created immense personal and collective marks during the year in review, which means he deserves to be winner of the 2019 CAF African Footballer of The Year award.

“It will be difficult for the Nigerians to win it. The only Nigerian player with some chance will be Ighalo who was the top scorer at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

“Maybe when you come to the CAF Best XI, Ndidi has a chance to make it. Ighalo definitely has a chance to be part of the XI but it is looking good for Mane.

“People might argue that he didn’t win the AFCON but he helped Senegal reach the final and Liverpool to win the UEFA Champions League (UCL) back in June.”