Yaya Touré Scores Hat Trick; Wins Glo/CAF African Footballer of the Year Award

Ivory Coast midfielder, Yaya Touré, has won the highly coveted individual award on the African continent for the third year in a row. The Manchester City star won the African Footballer of the Year Award by defeating Nigeria’s John Mikel Obi and fellow Ivorian, Didier Drogba. With the hat trick, Touré has joined a special class of African soccer stars such as Abedi Pele and Samuel Eto’0. Pele of Ghana won three straight awards from 1991 to 1993, while Cameroonian player, Eto’o earned the same honours from 2003 to 2005 and also in 2010. Only Pele and Touré have won it in three successive years. Touré, who was dressed in traditional Nigerian clothes told the audience amidst tears of joy after he received his award; “I’m very proud and happy to be the winner today. I congratulate my brother Obi Mikel who deserved it as well. It’s an unbelievable award for all those who helped me through my career a lot and those who supported me for a long time.” Touré came was first in the poll which was conducted by Africa’s national team coaches. Chelsea’s Mikel had been highly favoured to win the award but came in second place. Mikel was instrumental to Nigeria’s win at the African Nations Cup title in February 2013.  

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This article was first published on 10th January 2014

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