Glo/CAF award winner, Mahrez eyes AFCON crown

Algeria and Leicester City striker, Riyad Mahrez who was recently named the king of African football at the glamorous CAF/Globacom Africa Footballer of the Year award, has set his sights on leading his country on winning the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) holding in Gabon.

The Algerian winger pipped Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to the continental accolade and will now be hoping that he along with his fellow countryman can claim a first AFCON crown in 27 years.

“The next thing after this award is the Africa Cup of Nations. My team will try to do good things there,” Mahrez said.

He also thumbed up the organization of this year’s CAF/Globacom Africa Footballer of the Year award which finally held at the prestigious International Conference Center, Abuja on Friday night, with all the pump and pageantry.

Several categories were also contested for as the event paraded the best of African footballers and talents who are working very hard to making the continent proud across the world.

The various categories include the National Soccer team of the year, which was won by the Ugandan national soccer team, the Cranes.

The Women National team of the year was won by the Super Falcons of Nigeria, while Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa won Africa Football Club of the Year.

The Most Promising Talent Award went to Kelechi Iheanacho of Nigeria; Youth Player of the Year was won by Alex Iwobi of Nigeria and Coach of the Year award went to Pitso Mosimani of South Africa.

Bakery Papa Gasama emerged Referee of the Year, while African Player of the Year based in Africa went to Denis Onyango.

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari also bagged CAF Platinum award.

In his vote of thanks, the newly crowned African Footballer of the Year, Mahrez, thanked every one, including all his team mates, even as he dedicated the award to his family.