Yaya Toure slams Caf after POTY award

 

The Ivorian captain says it is a ‘shame for Africa to behave in that manner’ after Gabon’s Emerick Aubameyang was named Caf’s best player on Thursday

Cote D’Ivoire midfielder Yaya Toure is visibly disappointed after he failed to claim a record five-time Africa Footballer of the Year award on Thursday.
The Manchester City star, who led the Elephants to win the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, was beaten to the accolade by Gabon international Pierre Emerick Aubameyang.
“I am very very disappointed. It is sad to see Africa behave in that manner, for not giving importance to things that happen in Africa,” the 32-year-old told French radio RFI.
Toure came second ahead of Ghana and Swansea winger Andre Ayew, failing to stretch his reign after winning the continent’s premier individual football recognition in a row between 2011 and 2014.
“I think these are the kind of things that bring shame to Africa. Because, behaving like they did is very indecent. But what else can one do? We Africans, we don’t show to the world that Africa is important.
“We give priorities to things that happen outside the continent than things that take place here. It is lamentable,” he said.
“Even Fifa, with all the scandals going on in there, wouldn’t have done this! I think today, with what has just happened, Caf should be scrutinised as well.”

Toure’s anger suggests that being the captain of a team that won Caf’s biggest competition in the year under review, he should have logically been handed the award as opposed to Aubameyang, whose team Gabon failed to progress from the group stage.