Gabonese striker Pierre Eric Aubameyang has been named 2015 African Player of the Year at a colourful ceremony in Abuja, Nigeria.

The 26-year-old beat Manchester City's Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure who was seeking to win a record fifth title and Ghana’s Andre Ayew of Ghana to the award.

Aubameyang benefited from his excellent club performance throughout the year despite failing to win a major trophy with Dortmund

The speedy striker finished the second half of 2015 with 27 goals in 27 appearances.

Aubameyang earned 143 points while Yaya Toure and Andre Ayew earned 136 and 112 points to finish second and third respectively.

This is the second time Andre Ayew has placed third at the African Player of the Year after finishing in the same position in 2011.

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