Mahrez or Mane: Who deserves to be named African Footballer of the Year?

Ahead of Tuesday evening's Caf Awards, Goal examines the case for the two front-runners for the title of the continent's best player
On Tuesday, the Confederation of African Football will crown Africa's Player of the Year for 2019, with Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah the three players shortlisted for the award.

In this Great Debate, Goal writers Seye Omidiora and Solace Chukwu each present a case for the player they believe ought to receive the award.

Riyad Mahrez

by Seye Omidiora

 

The peculiar thing about individual awards is that when there’s a hype train in motion, mixed with the right media spin; it’s often tough to consider other contenders for the particular honour.

Thus, unsurprisingly, everyone seems to be focused on Liverpool’s Salah and Mane for the 2019 African Player of the Year, while somewhat neglecting 2016 winner Mahrez, who thrived in the calendar year for Manchester City and Algeria. 

The Reds pair claimed the Merseyside club’s sixth European crown in June, and Mane appears to be the frontrunner, but what about Mahrez?

Having endured a tough start last term in his maiden campaign at City, in which Pep Guardiola chose to use him smartly, the Algerian seldom disappointed when called upon.

Riyad Mahrez vs. Mohamed Salah & Sadio Mane: To whom will 2019-20 belong?https://t.co/71GrGdd3Bl

[via @theReal_SeyE] pic.twitter.com/TJpFVY0Iat

— Ed Dove (@EddyDove) August 3, 2019

He was influential in the Citizens’ 7-0 FA Cup win over Rotherham United in January – the first time the club scored that many in the competition since 1968 – as well as a 9-0 thrashing of Burton Albion in the first-leg of their EFL Cup semi-final – another milestone for goals that hadn’t been reached in over three decades.

Furthermore, Mahrez’s impact in Pep’s City’s Premier League run-in was notable over two games, against Bournemouth in March and Brighton & Hove Albion on the final day. 

In the former, the wideman scored, albeit fortuitously, against a Cherries side that was intent on absolutely frustrating Pep’s troops to help his side to a 1-0 win, while coming up trumps on the final day with a majestic individual performance in their comeback 4-1 win at Brighton & Hove Albion. 

GOAL