Leicester City star Riyad Mahrez named African Footballer of the Year brachycranic

The 25-year-old beat 2015 winner Patrick-Emerick Aubameyang of Gabon and Senegal striker Sadio Mane. He received his award at Thursday's ceremony in Abuja, Nigeria.

Mahrez was a key player as English underdog Leicester City won the Premier League title for the first time in its history in 2015-16, defying 5,000-1 odds.

The Foxes have struggled to repeat that success domestically this season, but Mahrez has helped the team reach the last 16 of the Champions League in its debut appearance in Europe's top club competition.



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He is the first north African to win the award since Morocco's Mustapha Hadji in 1998.

Two Algerians won the prize when it was run by France Football magazine -- from 1970-94, with joint awards in the latter three overlapping years. Rabah Madjer triumphed in 1987, and Lakhdar Belloumi did so six years earlier.

African Player of the Year - Based in Africa

Since its inception in 1992, all winners of the CAF African Player of the Year have been playing in Europe.

In 2005, a separate award for Africa-based talent was started -- and this year's winner is Ugandan Denis Onyango, who plays for South African club Mamelodi Sundowns.

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Other award winners

CAF African Women's Player of the Year: Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria & Arsenal Ladies)

CAF African Coach of the Year: Pitso Mosimane (Mamelodi Sundowns)

CAF National Team of the Year: Uganda

CAF Most Promising Talent of the Year: Kelechi Iheanacho (Nigeria & Manchester City)

CAF Youth Player of the Year: Alex Iwobi (Nigeria & Arsenal)

African Player of the Year - Based in Africa CAF National Team of the Year: Uganda CAF Most Promising Talent of the Year: Kelechi Iheanacho (Nigeria & Manchester City) African Player of the Year - Based in Africa CAF African Coach of the Year: Pitso Mosimane (Mamelodi Sundowns) The Foxes have struggled to repeat that success domestically this season, but Mahrez has helped the team reach the last 16 of the Champions League in its debut appearance in Europe's top club competition. African Player of the Year - Based in Africa Other award winners CAF Youth Player of the Year: Alex Iwobi (Nigeria & Arsenal) Mahrez was a key player as English underdog Leicester City won the Premier League title for the first time in its history in 2015-16, defying 5,000-1 odds. CAF African Women's Player of the Year: Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria & Arsenal Ladies) He is the first north African to win the award since Morocco's Mustapha Hadji in 1998. In 2005, a separate award for Africa-based talent was started -- and this year's winner is Ugandan Denis Onyango, who plays for South African club Mamelodi Sundowns. In 2005, a separate award for Africa-based talent was started -- and this year's winner is Ugandan Denis Onyango, who plays for South African club Mamelodi Sundowns. Other award winners The Foxes have struggled to repeat that success domestically this season, but Mahrez has helped the team reach the last 16 of the Champions League in its debut appearance in Europe's top club competition. Two Algerians won the prize when it was run by France Football magazine -- from 1970-94, with joint awards in the latter three overlapping years. Rabah Madjer triumphed in 1987, and Lakhdar Belloumi did so six years earlier. The 25-year-old beat 2015 winner Patrick-Emerick Aubameyang of Gabon and Senegal striker Sadio Mane. He received his award at Thursday's ceremony in Abuja, Nigeria. The 25-year-old beat 2015 winner Patrick-Emerick Aubameyang of Gabon and Senegal striker Sadio Mane. He received his award at Thursday's ceremony in Abuja, Nigeria. Mahrez was a key player as English underdog Leicester City won the Premier League title for the first time in its history in 2015-16, defying 5,000-1 odds. The 25-year-old beat 2015 winner Patrick-Emerick Aubameyang of Gabon and Senegal striker Sadio Mane. He received his award at Thursday's ceremony in Abuja, Nigeria. CAF Youth Player of the Year: Alex Iwobi (Nigeria & Arsenal) Mahrez was a key player as English underdog Leicester City won the Premier League title for the first time in its history in 2015-16, defying 5,000-1 odds. CAF African Women's Player of the Year: Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria & Arsenal Ladies) CAF African Coach of the Year: Pitso Mosimane (Mamelodi Sundowns) Two Algerians won the prize when it was run by France Football magazine -- from 1970-94, with joint awards in the latter three overlapping years. Rabah Madjer triumphed in 1987, and Lakhdar Belloumi did so six years earlier. CAF Most Promising Talent of the Year: Kelechi Iheanacho (Nigeria & Manchester City) The Foxes have struggled to repeat that success domestically this season, but Mahrez has helped the team reach the last 16 of the Champions League in its debut appearance in Europe's top club competition. Other award winners Two Algerians won the prize when it was run by France Football magazine -- from 1970-94, with joint awards in the latter three overlapping years. Rabah Madjer triumphed in 1987, and Lakhdar Belloumi did so six years earlier. Visit cnn.com/football for more news and videos CAF Most Promising Talent of the Year: Kelechi Iheanacho (Nigeria & Manchester City) CAF African Coach of the Year: Pitso Mosimane (Mamelodi Sundowns)

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