Best African player in 2019 to be named on Jan. 7

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - Africa is set to pick its best player for 2019 in a ceremony on Tuesday, Jan. 7 in the Egyptian city of Hurghada, one of the country's touristic spots.

"Less than 48 hours to go for the #CAFAwards2019 at Hurghada, Egypt," CAF (Confederation of African Football) said on its Twitter account.

The African football's governing body stated that there are now three nominees for the 2019 African Player of the Year award as Liverpool duo Mohamed Salah (Egypt) and Sadio Mane (Senegal), and Manchester City midfielder Riyad Mahrez (Algeria) will compete against each other to have this honor.

"Will it be a 3rd award for Salah or a 2nd for Mahrez or a 1st for Sadio Mane... Who do you predict will win? #CAFAwards2019," CAF said.

Salah scored 26 goals and produced 10 assists in 55 appearances in 2019.

Meanwhile Mane netted 34 goals and produced 12 assists in 61 matches.

Mahrez tallied 14 goals and 18 assists in 48 appearances last year.

Salah and Mane were integral parts of Liverpool, helping the Reds win the 2019 UEFA Champions League title.

Mahrez won the 2019 English Premier League title with Manchester City and the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with Algeria.

Salah claimed back-to-back African Player of the Year awards in 2017 and 2018, meanwhile Mahrez earned this award for 2016.