Leicester City’s Algerian winger, Riyadh Mahrez, has been named African Footballer of the Year for 2016 by the Confederation of African Football.

Mahrez beat Gabonese goal machine and 2015 winner, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to the crown, after a spectacular year which included leading his English club on an improbable run to winning the Premiership.

Mahrez won 361 votes in the final tally, narrowly beating Aubameyang’s total of 313 votes. Senegalese forward Sadio Mane finished third with 136 votes.

Mahrez was a vital cog of Leicester City’s improbable run to the title, forming a deadly attacking partnership with Englishman Jamie Vardy. Mahrez scored 17 goals and provided 11 assists by the end of the season.

All three players would represent their countries at the 2017 African Cup of Nations, which kicks off in Gabon on January 14.