Mane sorry for missing Senegal after Caf Awards

Liverpool striker and newly-crowned African player of year Sadio Mane, has apologised to his countrymen after failing to visit Senegal on his way back to England from the Caf Awards in Egypt last week.

Mane was due to attend a ceremony celebrating his achievements, hosted by Senegal’s president, Macky Sall, at the Museum of Black Civilisations in the country’s capital, Dakar.

However, Liverpool released a statement explain that “travel disruption beyond his and the club’s control”, meant he was not able to make the journey.

In an interview released on Liverpool’s website, Mane said “I am of course very happy and proud to receive this award and I want to dedicate it to everyone who has helped me on my journey from the very beginning.

“It was my plan to fly to Senegal to thank the people of my country and recognise them for everything they have given me on my journey, but unfortunately we were unable to make the visit.

“Now we have a big match against Tottenham this weekend which I must focus on and be ready for, but it is true I am disappointed I was unable to return home to say thank you because of some problems beyond our control.

“So, I will return to Senegal as soon as possible because it is something very important to me – I will never forget what everybody did for me, everybody who believed in me and everybody who gave me the chance to play football”.

This is the first time a Senegalese player has won the award since Mane’s compatriot El Hadji Diouf, who was also playing for Liverpool at the time, won it back in 2002.

Photo credit: Sky Sports