Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure says he is disappointed after Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang denied him of a record fifth straight CAF African Player of the Year Award.
The Ivorian captain and Manchester City star previously won the top prize in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
The 32-year-old might have easily bagged a fifth award given his form for club and country that saw Ivory Coast win the African Cup of Nations in 2015.
But free-scoring Borussia Dortmund striker Aubameyang tallied 143 points to upset Yaya in a vote done by coaches or technical directors of CAF member-nations.
“I am disappointed but that won’t take anything from anybody. I am sure Andre (Ayew) is also disappointed after what he did last year,” said the Elephants captain.
“This is not the time to complain. We will all go back and continue to work hard.”
Aubameyang, 26, has scored 18 goals in 17 Bundesliga games and 27 in all competitions this season, prompting most bookmakers to tip him for the individual award.
The Gabonese skipper said he was delighted to win the award for the first time while praising the abundant talent in his native country.
“We have good players and a good national team in Gabon,” declared Aubameyang after he was named the best African player for the past year and dedicated it to his country.
