The ANPS unveiled its 25 nominees for the 2025-2026 season on 16 October 2026. Sadio Mané and Ismaïla Sarr, of the Senegal national team, are among the star candidates for the Best Senegalese Footballer Abroad trophy. The vote count is set for 22 October.
The National Association of Sports Press of Senegal (ANPS) unveiled the official list of 25 nominated athletes for its annual awards on 16 October 2026, reports Dakaractu. These distinctions cover five categories rewarding performances achieved over the 2025-2026 season.
On that list, two forwards from the Senegal national team are among the star candidates for the prestigious Best Senegalese Footballer Abroad trophy: Sadio Mané and Ismaïla Sarr.
Mané and Ismaïla Sarr the football headliners
The presence of the two players on this nominees list puts football at the forefront of the awards. According to Dakaractu, Sadio Mané and Ismaïla Sarr are named among the star candidates in the category, without the full composition of that list having been detailed.
Only the nomination is official at this stage: the verdict depends on the counting of the votes.
Five categories, far beyond the football pitch
The ANPS awards are not limited to football. In the traditional wrestling without strikes category, Modou Faye, nicknamed “Ordinateur”, is included on the strength of 6 finals won, including the National Gala. Birame Mbissine has a record of 15 finals won against 7 defeats, while Diame Ndague has compiled 18 finals won and 8 lost.
Athletics is also represented. Saly Sarr, a triple jump athlete, is nominated thanks to her victories in the Diamond League and the Ultimate Championship, along with a national record extended to 15.08 metres. Amath Faye, also a triple jump athlete, is selected after his continental title, with a reference jump measured at 17.00 metres. Swimmer Oumy Diop is honoured for her African title and her Senegal record in the 50 metres butterfly, swum in 27.03 seconds.
Another category on the programme, the Amadou Dia Bâ trophy brings together 5 elite athletes from 4 different disciplines.
Verdict expected on 22 October
The counting of the votes, intended to separate all the candidates, is scheduled for 22 October 2026. It is on that date that the winners of the five categories will be announced.
“The count announced for 22 October will make it possible to separate the candidates in each of these five categories,” states the ANPS press release cited by Dakaractu.