July 22, 2022
The brief from today:
Mane gets the big prize
Sadio Mane was awarded the 2022 CAF African Footballer of the Year honor. Once final votes were tallied, the Senegalese forward edged the other members of the shortlist including compatriot Edouard Mendy, as well as former Liverpool teammate, Mohamed Salah. Mane adds this year’s title to the other one he received in 2019—the last time CAF awarded this trophy due to COVID. His exploits for club and country resulted in the AFCON title for Senegal, and the EFL and FA Cups for Liverpool. Mane was a protagonist throughout last season, for Senegal, he scored three goals and assisted two in their run to the AFCON final, where he scored the decisive penalty to win the shootout. This earned him the Player of the Tournament recognition, and shortly after that final against Egypt, the two sides would meet again for a final World Cup qualifier. That match also went to penalties, and once again Mane was handed the responsibility of the last penalty, which he confidently put away. His goals for Liverpool, and his adaptability—often playing as a false nine instead of his usual winger role—helped the side win two trophies. In addition to that, he was instrumental in Liverpool pushing Manchester City to the final day of the Premier League before the latter would be crowned champions. Finally, Mane was also the scorer of the winning goal in the Champions League semifinal that secured Liverpool’s place in the final, which they ultimately lost. All in all the argument in his favor for winning was more than sufficient, and while Salah and Mendy also had decent cases, the award can only go to one.
Mane with his second African Footballer of the Year trophy
Liga MX has a new addition
Following his departure from Barcelona this summer as a free agent, Dani Alves has decided his next move will be to play in Mexico’s Liga MX. After a brief six month spell at Barcelona—his second stint with the La Liga side—Alves will now ply his trade with Pumas UNAM. The league recently started so the Brazilian, now 39, will have to get up to speed. Alves has made it clear that he intends to participate in the World Cup this winter, and playing at a competitive level will be critical for that goal. Pumas, who recently lost the CONCACAF Champions League final last May, currently sit eighth in the league table after two draws and a win in the opening three matches. The gap to the top of the standings is still only four points, and the Mexican side will be hoping that they can draw on Alves’s experience and ability to be contenders.
Alves will be hoping his move to Pumas will help secure his place in Brazil’s World Cup squad