In 3E they made the Afridhi into a rather powerful NPC race resembling man sized fire giants. How would you handle them in a 5E campaign? Could you turn them into a standard human PC race?

-Havard

The 3E book says they're 5-foot tall humans, and it included some racial bonuses and abilities for making them a variant human. They received an extra feat, for example.

I would make them a human subclass using the human variant option in 5E, with +1 in STR and CON and one feat at first level. The Martial Adept feat would be ideal. To capture their fire cult tendencies and their overwhelming strength for their size, I would give them resistance to fire damage (Zugzul's Blessing) and perhaps advantage on all Strength (Athletics) checks (Physical Powerhouse). I would also give them racial proficiencies in Athletics and Intimidation, along with weapon proficiency in the battleaxe, longsword and longbow. Per the 3E book, they would also get a bonus language of Afridhi combat whistles.