Yaya Toure Crowned 2013 African Footballer Of The Year

Ivorian International, Yaya Toure, was crowned the 2013 Africa Footballer of the Year, by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) at its Annual Glo/CAF Awards, held in Lagos, Nigeria, on Thursday. Toure, who plies his trade with English Premier League side Manchester City, made it triple, after winning the 2011 and 2012 CAF Awards, and went into history as one of the few players who have won the title for three consecutive times. On a night which saw dominance from Nigerian players, the packed auditorium of the Eko Convention Center, Eko Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, was met with disappointment when the Ivorian shrugged off competition from Nigerian John Obi Mikel, and his compatriot Didier Drogba, to make it third in a row. Toure described the award as unbelievable, and dedicated it to his family and friends, who have supported him in his career. �I am proud and happy to win this award, but I also have to congratulate John Obi Mikel for his excellent performance in 2013. I think he equally deserved the award�. In other categories, Mohamed Aboutreika of Egypt was voted the African Player of the Year (based in Africa), beating Nigerian Sunday Mba, Ahmed Fathy of Egypt, TrezorMputu of DR Congo, and Rainford Kalaba of Zambia, whilst Kelechi Iheanacho of Nigeria was declared the Most Promising Talent, beating Ebenezer Assifuah of Ghana and Salem Gomaa of Egypt. Stephen Okechuku Keshi, head coach of the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles, emerged Coach of the Year, after overcoming opposition from Paul Put of Burkina Faso and Manu Garba of Nigeria. Egyptian giants Al Ahly won the Club of the Year Award, brushing aside challenges from CS Faxien of Tunisia and Orlando Pirates of South Africa, with the Super Eagles of Nigeria winning the National Team of the Year, by beating Burkina Faso and Ethiopia in the category as the National Under-17 team, was also declared the Youth National Team of the Year. Algerian national HaimoudiDjamel was adjudged Referee of the Year, though he had tough competition from Alioum Neant of Cameroon and Papa Bakary Gassama of Gambia. Nigerian supporters were presented with the CAF Fair Play Award, the Nigerian government presented with CAF Platinum Award. The CAF finest XI was made up of Vincent Enyeama, Ahmed Fathy, Mehdi Benatia, Kevin Constant, John Obi Mikel, Yaya Toure, Mohamed Aboutreika, Jonathan Patroipa, Emmanuel Emenike, Asamoah Gyan and Pierre-EmerickAubameyang, with Keshi as the head coach.