MAHREZ TIPPED FOR TOP AWARD

Algeria forward Riyad Mahrez is favourite to be crowned African Footballer of the Year for 2016 on the back of his contribution to Leicester City's shock English Premier League title win. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) title would make it a hattrick of wins for the 25-year-old, who has already been named PFA players' player of the year and BBC African player of the year. Mahrez was a key figure for Leicester last season, which saw the English East Midlands club defy 5000-1 odds and predictions of relegation to clinch a fairytale title victory. He played in all but one of the Foxes' games in 2015-16 and scored 17 goals. The slightly-built, right-sided forwarded also had humble beginnings, starting out with hometown club AAS Sarcelles in 2004.