African player of the year goes to Yaya Toure

Posted on December 22, 2012 by SoccerPunter

Ivory Coast player Yaya Toure of Manchester City have been awarded Africa player of the year, beating out his countryman Didier Drogba and Alexandre Song of Cameroon for the CAF player of the year award.

Toure, 29, claimed the prize for the second consecutive year, capping a season where he led Manchester City to the English Premier League title for 2011/2012 season, their first in 44 years.

He scored two crucial goals against Newcastle in May to secure the English Premier League title as the club managed to edge out bitter rival Manchester United on goal difference.

The giant midfielder appeared to tear up as his name was called at the ceremony in Ghana’s capital.

“I have a lot of emotion,” he said after climbing the stage to accept the award. “I think this night is so special for me.”

He has been praised by City’s manager Roberto Mancini for his ability to fill so many roles.

Toure has voiced hope of a prolonged stay at the club and has predicted that more titles could be on the way.

He also remains a crucial component of the Ivory Coast national side, a perennial contender for the African Cup of Nations crown.

Ivory Coast narrowly lost to Zambia at the last continental tournament, reaching the final thanks in part to strong play from Toure, who said the side will have to win some hard contests if it hopes to reclaim the cup.

“I think this this year is going to be tough. I think there’s going to be a fight to be at the top,” he said after accepting the award.

Toure’s second CAF honour came on a night when Drogba, the former Chelsea star now playing Shanghai Shenhua, was in line for his third win.

Drogba was seeking to take a step closer to to Cameroonian Samuel Eto’o’s record four trophies but described his fellow Ivorian as a deserving winner who has played with impressive “consistency over the last two years.”

“Being in competition against Yaya and Alex was for me very difficult,” said the striker. “For me, I don’t mind if Yaya wins. I’m very proud.”

Song, a 25-year-old up-and-coming midfielder, was nominated for the first time this year, after a season that included strong play for Arsenal before his transfer to Barcelona.