Salah ‘succeeds’ Okocha, emerges BBC African Footballer of the Year

Egypt and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has been voted BBC African Footballer of the Year for the second time in a row.

He becomes the first player to win in consecutive seasons since Bolton and Nigeria midfielder Jay-Jay Okocha in 2003 and 2004.

More than 650,000 fans took part in the vote and the 26-year-old Salah beat Medhi Benatia, Kalidou Koulibaly, Sadio Mane and Thomas Partey to the award.

The Premier League’s player of the year scored 44 goals in 52 games for Liverpool last season.

“It’s a great feeling to win again. I’m happy and I would like to win it also next year!” said Salah.

As well as inspiring his club to the Champions League final, Salah scored twice for Egypt at this year’s World Cup, having netted both goals in the match which took his country to the tournament for the first time since 1990.

“There have been many good moments in 2018,” he added. “The game against Roma at Anfield [Champions League semi-final first leg] was unbelievable. I’m scoring goals and helping the team to get the points to be top of the league. That’s always a great feeling.”

Salah said his aim for 2019 is “to win something with the club so everyone is excited”.

“I try to push myself every day to help the team win something,” he added.

The BBC received more than 650,000 votes this year – a record for the award.

Salah becomes the first player since Nigerian Jay-Jay Okocha to win in consecutive years.