Ivorian Yaya Toure named 2012 African Player of the Year

Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure made it two titles in a row by winning the 2012 African Player of the Year.

The 29-year old, who plays for English side, Manchester City fended off competition from compatriot Didier Drogba and Cameroonian Alexander Song to grab the most prestigious individual honour in African football during the year under review.

The bulky midfielder played an influential role as Manchester City won the English Premier League for the first time in 44-years and also starred in the Elephant’s silver triumph at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations held in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

Toure picked up his prize from CAF President Issa Hayatou amidst applause from the gathering on Wednesday at the Banquet Hall, State House in Accra.

The impressive ceremony was attended by the crème de la crème of African football officials, present and ex-players as well as administrators.

Also present was Minister of Youth and Sports, Clement Kofi Humado and Minister of Communication, Haruna Iddrisu just as CAF President Issa Hayatou and members of his Executive Committee.

For the first time in many years, Ghana failed to pick a prize with the Black Maidens losing out on the Women’s National Team of the Year award to African queens, Equatorial Guinea.

Playmaker Genoveva Anonma capped a double for the Islanders with the Women’s Footballer of the Year award.

In other categories, Ahly midfielder Mohamed Aboutreika pipped Zambian duo Rainford Kalaba and Sunzu Stoppila to the African Player of the Year (Based in Africa) prize.

African champions Zambia scooped the National Team of the Year award whilst trainer Herve Renard went away with the Coach of the Year honour.

Egyptian youngster Mohamed Salah was adjudged the Most Promising Talent of the Year and Algeria’s Haimoudi Djamel as Referee of the Year.

CAF Champions League winners’ Al Ahly of Egypt was decorated as Club of the Year whilst Gabonese national team supporters went home with the Fair Play award.

Egyptian football icon, Mahmoud El Gohary was honoured posthumously with the Legends Award just as ex-Cameroon captain, Rigobert Song in recognition of their contributions to the game over the years.

President-elect John Dramani Mahama was presented with the Platinum Award, which was received on his behalf by Mr. Iddrisu.

The ceremony was laced with performances by renowned artistes including Salif Keita, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Nigerian afrobeat star Lagbaja and Ghanaian songstress, Irene Logan.

This is the fourth time the award was being staged in Accra after 2006, 2009 and 2011.

Source: GNA