Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez congratulated Liverpool's Sadio Mane for his "well deserved" African Player of the Year award, but warned the Senegalese that he is already gunning for his prize.
Former Leicester winger Mahrez won the award in 2016, and was one of three nominees for the 2019 prize along with Mane and the winner's Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah, who picked up the gong in 2017 and 2018.
However, Mane was , as Mahrez was busy playing for City at Manchester United in the Carabao Cup semi-finals and Salah is still in dispute with the Egyptian FA.
Mahrez scored in City's 3-1 win at Old Trafford, and after the match tweeted: "Congratulations to Sadio for his trophy, well deserved and sorry I couldn't come but I had to start scoring for the 2020 trophy. See you next year inch'Allah."
A humble Mane thanked his teammates and coaches after receiving the award.
"I am really happy and at the same time really proud to win this award," he said.
"I would like to thank my family, especially my uncle who is here today, without forgetting all the Egyptian people as well and of course my national team coach Aliou Cisse, my teammates with the national team and the staff at the Federation.
"I also thank Liverpool Football Club, my teammates, the staff and everybody there.
"It is a big day for me.. I don't really know how to say it but I would love to thank all the Senegalese people. They have been with me all the time and they push me to do better.
"Also the people from my village.. I have come very far, Bambali is a very small village and I am sure they are watching on the TV.
"I am really happy and very proud to win this."
