Algeria and Leicester City player, Riyad Mahrez was named the African Player of the Year for 2016 in a CAF awards ceremony that took place in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, on Thursday, January 5, 2017. It completed a hattrick of individual honours for the Algerian forward who had already been named PFA players' player of the year and BBC African player of the year. The skillful winger played a pivotal part in Leicester's shock run to winning theEnglish Premier Leaguelast season as he played in all but one of the club's games, scoring an impressive 17 goals. He won the award ahead of last year's winner,Gabon'sPierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund),andSenegalstarSadio Mane (Liverpool). He joinsRabah Madjer(1987) andLakhdar Belloumi(1981) as the Algerians to have won the award. South African club,Mamelodi Sundownswere named theAfrican Team of the Yearafter winning theAbsa Premiershiptitle and theCAF Champions Leagueand representing the continent at theClub World CupinJapan. For masterminding the team's exploits, 52-year-oldPitso Mosimanewas namedCoach of the Year. The team's Ugandan goalkeeper,Denis Onyangowas namedAfrican Player of the Year (Based in Africa)beating Zimbabwean teammateKhama Billiatand Zambian,Rainford Kalaba (TP Mazembe). Nigerian striker,Kelechi Iheanachowas named as theMost Promising Talenton the continent after the breakout year he had atManchester City. His compatriot,Alex Iwobiwon theYouth Player of the Yearaward for forcing his way intoArsene Wenger's Premier League side, Arsenal. For winning yet anotherAfrica Women Cup of Nations, Nigeria'sSuper Falconswere namedWomen’s National Team of the Yearfor their record eighth title win in Cameroon. Leading the charge of that title triumph was Arsenal star,Asisat Oshoalawho was namedWomen’s Player of the Yearafter finishing the tournament with six goals. TheCranesofUgandawon the honours for theNational Team of the Yearwhile 37-year-old Gambian,Bakary Papa Gassamawas named theReferee of the Year. The winners were picked by CAF member associations' national team coaches, a panel of journalists and television consultants. SOURCE: PULSE Posted on 06/01/17