Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has hit out angrily at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after losing out on the African Player of the Year award to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Ivory coast international had won the award for the last four years and was expecting to win a fifth on Thursday, but he had to settle for second place behind Aubameyang. Toure congratulated Aubameyang on the award but later added that the decision “brings shame to Africa”.
Toure had recently won the BBC African footballer of the year award for 2015 in December and guided Ivory Coast to their first African Cup of Nations title since 1992 last year. The playmaker was also named in the competition’s team of the tournament and played the full 120 minutes in the final against Ghana. However, he lost out to Aubameyang who is having a terrific season with Borussia Dortmund this year.
The Gabonese striker scored 27 goals in 27 games so far this season and has a total of 68 goals in 119 games since joining the German side from St Etienne in 2013. However, Gabon failed to get past the group stages in last year’s AFCON tournament.
It’s sad to see African achievements being overlooked: Toure
Toure’s fury is believed to be based on the fact that only a player’s domestic achievements were considered, but then there is a separate award by CAF for Player of the Year based in Africa.
“We Africans, we do not show that Africa is important to us,” added the 32-year-old. “I think this is what brings shame to Africa because to act in that way is indecent. But what can we do about it? Us Africans, we don’t show that Africa is important in our eyes. We favour more what’s abroad than our own continent. That is pathetic.”
“I give an example: it's Lionel Messi who wins all the trophies but it's Ronaldo who is Ballon d'Or. What would you say? It would be unfair.
“Yaya will look after himself, and let Africa look after itself. Like I'm often told, you shouldn't worry too much about Africa because Africa will be the first to let you down.”
Toure ended a disappointing 2015 season at club level with City while Aubameyang went from strength to strength and is one of Europe’s prolific goal-scorers at the moment. However, the Ivory Coast international feels he did enough to be crowned Africa’s best player of the year.
