Patson Daka is CAF Youth Player of the Year

Zambia and Red Bull Salzburg striker Patson Daka was named the Youth Player of the Year at the Aiteo Caf Awards Gala 2017, held at the International Conference Centre in Accra, Ghana on Thursday.

The 19-year old beat Krepin Diatta of Senegal and Salam Giddou of Mali to succeed Nigeria and Arsenal midfielder Alex Iwobi.

Daka's continental accolade, which was presented to him by Cameroonian football legend Samuel Eto'o, comes a week after he was voted 2017 Zambia Sportsman of the Year.

His exploits with the Zambia U20 national football team helped them win the U20 Africa Cup of Nations in March and to reach the quarterfinals of the Fifa U20 World Cup in Korea Republic, scoring a combined six goals in both competitions.

He also found the back of the net twice - a goal apiece against Algeria and Cameroon - in Zambia's qualifying campaign for the 2018 Fifa World Cup.

Daka dedicated his award to his former Zambia U17 teammate, the late Changwe Kalale, who died last month, three years after a road traffic accident left him paralysed below the waist.

"I want to dedicate this award to my friend and brother Changwe Kalale, and the people of Zambia, my club Red Bull Salzburg and everyone who has helped me achieve this award. I want to thank you for the support," Daka said.

"And to my fellow young players, I want to encourage you that this is the beginning of better things to come. Let us keep on working extra hard and change the face of African football, for we are the future of African football.

"Thank you so much and God bless you all," he said, while receiving rapturous applause from the audience.

Watch Patson Daka win CAF Youth Player of the Year