Riyad Mahrez has been announced as the 2016 African player of the year.

He beat stiff competition from Sadio Mane and Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang of Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund respectively.

The Leicester City star man who propelled his English Premier League side to an unexpected win in the league last season polled a total of 361 votes to defeat closest contender, Aubameyang – who won last year’s episode – while Mane sat in far third with 186 votes.

Mahrez dedicated the award to his family and all his teammates for making him win such a prestigious award on the African continent.

This award follows from his earlier announcement as the BBC African footballer of the year award.

Riyad Mahrez is the African Player of the Year, collecting 361 of the votes #GloCAFAwards2016 pic.twitter.com/12s7BMsGRc

— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 5, 2017

Last year’s winner, Aubameyang, finshes in 2nd place with 313 votes #GloCAFAwards2016 pic.twitter.com/Bd3CoaxTxM

— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 5, 2017

Sadio Mane finishes in 3rd place with 186 votes #GloCAFAwards2016

— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 5, 2017