Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was handed the Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper award after helping the Lions of Teranga claim the Africa Cup of Nations trophy in Cameroon on Sunday night.
The Chelsea gloveman enjoyed a hugely successful AFCON campaign, with his contribution to Senegal’s cause underlined in Yaounde on Sunday night as he saved a penalty in the tense penalty shootout against seven-time champions Egypt.
Mendy had missed last month’s virtual FIFA awards due to his participation at the African showpiece in Cameroon and finally got his hands on the coveted prize after the final whistle at Olembe Stadium.
🇸🇳 Edouard Mendy's past 10 months:
— Sporting Index (@sportingindex) February 6, 2022
🏆 UEFA Champions League winner
🏆 UEFA Super Cup winner
🏆 UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year
🏆 FIFA Best Goalkeeper of the Year
🏆 AFCON
Absolutely sensational. pic.twitter.com/3YfJffzFzq
FIFA President Gianni Infantino was joined by FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura in presenting the award to Mendy on the Olembe Stadium pitch.
And it was a day of triple delight for Mendy as he not only claimed the AFCON trophy and the FIFA award, but he was named the Africa Cup of Nations goalkeeper of the tournament after keeping three clean sheets in five appearances.
Speaking to journalists after helping Senegal claim their first-ever AFCOn trophy, an elated Mendy said: “We are proud. We never won it before.
No one deserves this more than Edouard Mendy pic.twitter.com/A4O0p9vOwg
— Bodei_CFC (@BodeiCfc) February 6, 2022
“We worked really hard to win this trophy and today we won as a group and as a country and that is why I am super proud.
“The shooters in the penalties did really well, I tried to do my best to save one shot and I did that, so I am super happy!”
The penalty save from Edouard Mendy that won the AFRON cup for Senegal. pic.twitter.com/jUASVmRmeF
— Frank Khalid (@FrankKhalidUK) February 6, 2022
