Yaya Toure had been named the African Player of the Year four years running, but his streak was snapped when Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang took home the honors for 2015 on Thursday.
Aubameyang finished second to Toure in 2014, and this year became the first player from Gabon to win the award.
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Despite Aubameyang’s outstanding 2015, which saw him score 32 goals in 40 appearances for Dortmund, Toure was angered that his achievements with the Ivory Coast, which he captained to the Africa Cup of Nations title, were not properly recognized.
Toure said he was disappointed that Aubameyang’s play in Germany was rewarded rather than his African achievements.I’m very, very disappointed. It’s sad to see Africa react this way, that they don’t think African achievements are important.
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. Even Fifa, with all its history of corruption, wouldn’t do this.
Yaya will take care of Yaya and let Africa take care of itself. 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.
Aubameyang’s Gabon did not make it out of the group stage of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, winning one match and losing two. The Dortmund striker scored one of Gabon’s two goals in the tournament.
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While Toure’s achievements with the Ivory Coast were clearly greater than Aubameyang’s with Gabon, there is a massive talent gap between the two sides that must be taken into account. When you look at their club seasons, there is no comparison between Aubameyang’s brilliant form and Toure’s rather disappointing run for Manchester City.
One of the most decorated African players of all-time, these comments are not a good look for Toure. It sounds a lot like sour grapes from a player that is struggling to find the form that made him one of the best midfielders in the world just a few seasons ago.
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