Gabon and Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has upstaged favorite Yaya Toure to win the African Player of the Year award.
Emotional filled Aubameyang says it is an honor to win the award ahead of two other outstanding nominees.
"When you are standing alongside players like Yaya Toure or Andre Ayew there is pride in winning such a trophy ahead of them because they are great players and I obviously admire them a lot."
Aubameyang got to his best start to a season at Dortmund, scoring 18 goals in 17 Bundesliga games and 27 in all competitions.
He is currently the Bundesliga's top goal scorer at the half-season mark.
The 26-year-old is being coveted by Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United during the winter transfer window.