Fellaini chats with DRC's Dieumerci Mbokani at the ceremony

Standard Liege midfielder Marouane Fellaini has won the Ebony Boot award, the top African football prize in Belgium.

The 21-year-old was handed the award even though he is a Belgium international.

The prize is awarded to the best African player (or player of African origin) in the country.

Fellaini is of Moroccan descent but opted to play international football for Belgium rather than the country of his origin.

He won the award ahead of Morocco international Mbark Boussoufa of Anderlecht and Standard team-mate Mohamed Adama Sarr of Senegal.

Fellaini was honoured for his role in helping Standard Liege win the Belgian title this season.

The Ebony award emerged out of the disaffection of a group of African students who grew tired of seeing African players being sidelined for individual honours.

They set up "Le Soulier d'Ebene" - the Ebony Boot - 19 years ago to redress the imbalance.

Coaches of the teams in Belgium's top three divisions are the ones who vote for the winner.