Africa's best Mahrez targets Africa Cup of Nations title - Welcome to Soccer World

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Friday 6 January 2017

Africa's best Mahrez targets Africa Cup of Nations title

Riyad Mahrez
After scooping Africa's best player crown, the Leicester City forward says his next ambition is to help his country win this year's continental showpiece in Gabon.

Riyad Mahrez says his next target is to help Algeria win the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations title.

The Leicester City forward dethroned Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to be named Africa Player of the Year at Thursday's Glo-Caf gala in Abuja, having played a key role in the Foxes’ English Premier League triumph.

While admitting piping Aubameyang and Liverpool’s Sadio Mané to the award was no mean feat, he is hoping to help the Greens conquer the continent when Africa’s biggest football showpiece kicks off in Gabon.

"I'm very happy to win it,” Mahrez told media. “Honestly, it was between two big players. It is never easy to win a big award like this.

"I'm very happy and very pleased; [I am not done yet ] as I just have to keep going.

"The next thing after this award is the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations. My team will try to do good things there.

"It is not going to be easy in Africa but it will be good maybe to win the title.

"It is never easy to win - even one game. [All we need to do is keep working], we just have to see if we emerge as winners.

Algeria last won the competition in 1990 when they edged Nigeria 1-0 in the final, thanks to Chérif Oudjani’s first half strike at Stade 5 Juillet 1962, Algiers.

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