Sport
Yaya Touré named BBC African Soccer Player of the year 2013
Yaya Touré celebrates after scoring a goal. PHOTO/File
Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Touré was named the BBC’s African Footballer (Soccer player) of the Year for 2013 on Monday.
It was the fifth straight year the Manchester City star had made the shortlist but the first time he had taken the award.
“Thank you to all the fans around the world who continue to support me and who love me a lot,” said Touré in a BBC statement. “I’m very proud, I’m very happy, this award is amazing.
“It’s the fifth time in a row being nominated and this time is very special.”
Touré, who has scored 13 goals for club and country this year, was the choice of the BBC’s global audience.
He held off competition from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon and Borussia Dortmund), Victor Moses (Nigeria and Liverpool, on loan from Chelsea), John Obi Mikel (Nigeria and Chelsea), and Jonathan Pitroipa (Burkina Faso and Rennes).
Toure was presented with the award at Manchester City’s Carrington training ground on Monday.
