Egypt's Salah voted African Player of the Year

ACCRA, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian International and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah was Thursday night named the 2017 African Player of the Year.

The announcement was made at the 26th edition of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) awards gala held in Accra.

Salah, 25, beat Senegal and fellow club-mate Sadio Mane and Gabon international Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to win the prestigious prize to honor African men and women who have excelled and contributed to the development of football in and outside the continent.

The annual event also aims to encourage and enhance the performances of sports persons to maintain the high standard and quality of football administration and management in Africa.

Salah played a key role in Egypt's Africa Cup of Nations campaign last year, where the North Africans reached the finals and lost to Cameroon.

He also guided Egypt to book a place at this year's FIFA World Cup in Russia, scoring a 94th minute penalty against Congo to win the match and send the Pharaohs to Russia.

Since joining Liverpool last summer from Roma, Salah has bagged 22 goals for the Reds in just 29 appearances, five of them coming in the UEFA Champions League and 17 in the English Premier League.

Salah dedicated the award to the children of Africa and Egypt, urging them to follow their dreams and belief.

Nigerian forward Asisat Oshoala, who plays for Chinese side Dalian Quanjian, was named Women's Player of the Year. Enditem