Riyad Mahrez has been announced as the African Player of the Year for 2016.


The Algeria international midfielder is recognised after playing a pivotal role in Leicester City's incredible march to the 2015-16 Premier League title.
He beats Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who won in 2015, to this year's prize.


Mahrez had previously been named PFA Player of the Year for his exploits in Leicester's phenomenal top-flight campaign, during which he scored 17 goals and recorded 11 assists.
His first half of the 2016-17 season has been less spectacular, with three goals and two assists in the league but he has made a bigger impact in the Champions League, netting four times in the club's first foray into the continental competition.

A photo posted by Aubameyang (@aubameyang97) on 

The Foxes star won 361 votes at the official CAF awards, edging in front of Aubameyang's 313, while Liverpool forward Sadio Mane finished in third place with 186 votes.
All three men will now turn their attentions towards January's Africa Cup of Nations, to be held in Aubameyang's native Gabon.