Egypt and Liverpool forward, Mohamed Salah has been named the BBC African footballer of the year for 2017, following a record number of votes.
Salah beats off competition from Nigeria’s forward, Victor Moses, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Gabon, Naby Keita of Guinea, and Senegal’s Sadio Mane. Aclsports.com’s Sola Egunjobi was emphatic here on Salah being Africa’s best currently.
The 25-year-old, who has been brilliant for club and country, becomes the third Egyptian to the award.
“It’s always a special feeling when you win something,” Salah told the BBC. “I feel like I had a great year, so I’m very happy.”
Salah, who is the leading net buster in the English Premier League this season with 13 goals, was crucial as Egypt qualified for their first world cup in over two decades, scoring seven goals in the process.
Salah didn’t want to share the glory alone, as he thanked his team mates for the role they played in ensuring he won the coveted award.
“I would like to thank my Liverpool team-mates and I also had a good season with Roma so I have to thank my team-mates there and my team-mates in the national team,” added Salah.
The former Roma of Italy wide forward was also a key part of the the Pharaohs who finished runners-up in the African Cup of nations, earlier in the year.
Buy winning the award, the Egyptian succeeds last year winner, Riyad Mahrez of Algeria.
He also joins an illustrious list which includes former winners, and compatriots, Mohamed Barakat and Mohamed Aboutrika, who won the award in 2005 and 2008 respectively.
“I am very happy to be like them in winning this award,” Salah concluded.
Salah joined Liverpool from Roma last summer, after his 15goals and 11 assists helped the Italian outfit finish second in the Serie A last season.
Images: BBC
