Topics: CAF, AFCON, Algeria, Riyad Mahrez, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Sadio Mane
The Algerian playmaker dethroned Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who ended as the runner up. Sadio Mane finished third.

If Leicester City's players needed any more praise, one of their members made sure their wonderful year will never be forgotten.

Riyad Mahrez, the driving force behind the Foxes' scintillating title run, was named as the 2016 African Player of the Year. The Algerian finished the ballot with 361 points, good enough to beat Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, last year's winner.

Mahrez faced some stiff competition from Aubameyang, who couldn't win back-to-back trophies due to a 48-point margin.

Mahrez was the first Algerian ever to be nominated for the award, and most experts labelled him as the favorite to win. His performance last season was crucial for the Foxes to win the title, playing 39 games in all comps and scoring 18 goals in the process.

Liverpool's Sadio Mane finished the ballot with 186 votes.