Yaya Toure
Yaya Toure has expressed his disappointment in
failing to win the African Footballer of the Year by saying the award’s
criteria bring “shame to Africa.”
The Manchester City midfielder finished second to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on Thursday night, ending his run of four straight awards from the Confederation of African Football.
But Toure felt this year’s result should have gone his way after his Ivory Coast side triumphed at the African Nations Cup, while Aubameyang’s Gabon were eliminated in the early stages.
“I’m very, very disappointed. It’s sad to see Africa react this way, that they don’t think African achievements are important,” he told RFI.
“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.
“As I’ve been told many times, you can’t take care of Africa too much because Africa will be the first to let you down.”
The outspoken Toure has long campaigned for more recognition of African football. In October, he also criticised the Ballon d’Or for again making him the only African player among 23 nominees shortlisted for FIFA’s top individual award.
Toure also compared Thursday’s vote, conducted by the directors of the CAF national federations, to the ongoing FIFA scandals.
“Even FIFA, with all its history of corruption, wouldn’t do that,” he said.
The Manchester City midfielder finished second to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on Thursday night, ending his run of four straight awards from the Confederation of African Football.
But Toure felt this year’s result should have gone his way after his Ivory Coast side triumphed at the African Nations Cup, while Aubameyang’s Gabon were eliminated in the early stages.
“I’m very, very disappointed. It’s sad to see Africa react this way, that they don’t think African achievements are important,” he told RFI.
“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.
“As I’ve been told many times, you can’t take care of Africa too much because Africa will be the first to let you down.”
The outspoken Toure has long campaigned for more recognition of African football. In October, he also criticised the Ballon d’Or for again making him the only African player among 23 nominees shortlisted for FIFA’s top individual award.
Toure also compared Thursday’s vote, conducted by the directors of the CAF national federations, to the ongoing FIFA scandals.
“Even FIFA, with all its history of corruption, wouldn’t do that,” he said.
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