BEVERLY HILLS, December 12, (THEWILL) –Â Mohamed Salah has been announced as the BBC African Footballer of the Year 2017 beating Sadio Mane, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Naby Keita and Nigerian Victor Moses to the honour.
By winning the prize, the Egyptian added his name to a list of legends including Jay-Jay Okocha (Nigeria), Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast) and Michael Essien (Ghana).
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.
The 25-year-old forward was handed the award by his Liverpool coach, Jurgen Klopp.
“I’m happy to be like them to win this award. It’s always a special feeling when you win something; you like you did a great season, a good year,” he said after receiving the award.
“I’m very happy to win this and I just have to give more and work more.
“I have always followed my way, and I want everyone in Egypt to follow my way.
“Since I left Egypt, in my mind, I want to be the best Egyptian ever. I work hard and try to be different from them.”
