Algeria and Leicester forward Riyad Mahrez has been crowned the Confederation of African Football’s player of the year award for 2016.
Mahrez, 25, who inspired Leicester to the Premier League title, is already the English PFA Player of the Year and BBC African Footballer of the Year.
“It’s a huge honour, I am happy and pleased. I thank all my teammates at Leicester and Algeria,” Mahrez said after he received the award.
“I dedicate this to my family and all those who support me every day.” said Mahrez.
Borussia Dortmund’s Gabonese forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was second and Senegal and Liverpool striker Sadio Mane came third.
Mahrez polled 361 votes, Aubameyang earned 313 votes, while Mane was a distant third on 186 votes.
Arsenal and Nigeria forward Alex Iwobi won the youth player award.
Countryman and Manchester City striker, Kelechi Iheanacho also won the most promising talent award on the night.
AWARD WINNERS
AFRICAN PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Riyad Mahrez (Algeria & Leicester City)
AFRICAN PLAYER OF THE YEAR-BASED IN AFRICA
Denis Onyango (Uganda & Mamelodi Sundowns)
WOMEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria & Arsenal Ladies)
MOST PROMISING TALENT
Kelechi Iheanacho (Nigeria & Manchester City)
YOUTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Alex Iwobi
COACH OF THE YEAR
Pitso Mosimane (Mamelodi Sundowns)
CLUB OF THE YEAR
Mamelodi Sundowns
NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR
Uganda
WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR
Nigeria
REFEREE OF THE YEAR
Bakary Papa Gassama
The CAF African XI for 2016
Goalkeeper: Denis Onyango (Uganda & Mamelodi Sundowns)
Defenders: Serge Aurier (Cote d’Ivoire & PSG), Aymen Abdenour (Tunisia & Valencia), Eric Bailly (Cote d’Ivoire & Manchester United), Joyce Lomalisa (DRC &AS Vita)
Midfielders: Khama Billiat (Zimbabwe & Mamelodi Sundowns), Rainford Kalaba (Zambia & TP Mazembe),Keegan Dolly (South Africa & Mamelodi Sundowns)
Forwards:Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon & Borussia Dortmund), Sadio Mane (Senegal & Liverpool), Riyad Mahrez (Algeria & Leicester City)
Subs: Aymen Mathlouthi (Tunisia & Etoile du Sahel), Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal & Napoli), Salif Coulibaly (Mali & TP Mazembe), Islam Slimani (Algeria & Leicester City), Mohamed Salah (Egypt & Roma), Kelechi Iheanacho (Nigeria & Manchester City), Alex Iwobi (Nigeria & Arsenal)
