Gabonese striker Pierre Eric Aubameyang was named 2015's African Player of the Year on Thursday finishing ahead of Ivorian Yaya Toure and Andre Ayew of Ghana during the Glo-CAF awards ceremony held in Lagos, Nigeria.
The 26-year-old dethroned Manchester City's Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure, winner of the last award for the last four years running, and defeated Andre Ayew of Ghana who lay third on the list.
Aubameyang won the CAF Player of the Year award, preventing Yaya Toure from scooping the gong for a record fifth time.
In a vote of coaches and technical directors of Caf member nations, Aubameyang earned 143 points, with Manchester City midfielder Toure, 32, the runner-up with 136 points.
Aubameyang, 26, is the first player from his country to win the award.
Ghana and Swansea midfielder Andre Ayew, 26, was third with 112 points.
The Gabonese striker came second in the voting behind Toure last year as the Ivorian won a fourth consecutive award but turned the tables at Thursday's CAF gala in Abuja thanks to a sparkling run of form for German side Dortmund.
Toure captained Ivory Coast to Africa Cup of Nations Glory in January and continues to be an influential performer for Manchester City, but the 32-year-old remains tied with Cameroon great Samuel Eto'o on four career wins after Aubameyang pipped him by 143 points to 136 in the final vote.
Swansea City and Ghana midfielder Andre Ayew came third with 112 points.
Despite failing to win a major trophy with Dortmund, Aubameyang benefited from his excellent performance through the year.
The classy striker frequently made the headlines with his fine displays, especially in the second half of 2015. Overall he scored 27 goals in 27 appearances in 2015.
He also leads the list of the Bundesliga's top scorers with 18 goals in 17 matches.
Herve Renard, who was recently sacked by French Ligue 1 side Lille, was named Coach of the Year after masterminding Ivory Coast's triumphant 2015 AFCON campaign.