Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah Named BBC African Footballer Of The Year

Egypt and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has been named the BBC African player of the year for 2017, ahead of Nigeria’s Victor Moses, Senegal’s Sadio Mane, Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Guinean Naby Keita.

Liverpool’s Manager Jurgen Klopp presented the award to the 25-year old Egyptian, who has scored 13 Premier League goals this season.

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The winger also helped Egypt to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1990.

Salah becomes the third Egyptian to be so crowned with the award since Mohamed Barakat (2005) and Mohamed Aboutrika who won it in 2008, both as players of Al Ahly.

“I am very happy to win this award,” the 25-year-old told BBC Sport.

“It’s always a special feeling when you win something. I feel like I had a great year, so I’m very happy.

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“I want to be the best Egyptian ever so I work hard.

“I always follow my own way and I want everyone in Egypt to follow my way.

“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,” Salah added.

By winning the BBC African Footballer of the year prize Salah adds his name to a list of legends including Jay-Jay Okocha (Nigeria), Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast), Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo) and Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast).

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