Algeria and Leicester City winger, Riyad Mahrez, has been named the African Footballer of the Year at the 2016 Glo-CAF awards held on Thursday night at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
Mahrez beat Gabonese and Burrusia Dortmund striker, Pierre Emerick Aubamenyang who was last year’s winner and Senegal’s Sadio Mane to win the award.
Mahrez has scored six goals in 27 appearances for Algeria since his debut on October 15, 2014 till date. He also helped Leicester City to a shock English Premier League title in the 2015/16 season, consequently emerging the PFA Players’ Player of the Year and BBC African Footballer of the Year award in December 2016.
Mahrez was not the only winner, as some Nigerians also emerged big winners in other categories.
Asisat Oshoala won the award for Women Player of the Year.
Most Promising Player of the Year Award went to Nigeria and Manchester City youngster, Kelechi Iheanacho, while his compatriot in Arsenal, Alex Iwobi won the Youth Player of the Year.
The record-breaking Super Falcons of Nigeria rode on the back of their triumph at the 2016 African Women’s Nations Cup to emerge Women’s National Team of the Year.
National Team of the Year went to the Ugandan national team while their goalkeeper, Denis Onyango emerged Africa-based African Player of the Year.
Mamelodi Sundowns coach, Pitso Mosimane defeated Super Falcons coach, Florence Omagbemi to win the Coach of the Year while Mosimane’s club, Mamelodi Sundowns also emerged Club of the Year.
Bakary Papa Gassama won the Referee of the Year Award.
