Ivorian soccer player Yaya Toure is congratulated by compatriot Didier Drogba after he was crowned African Footballer of the Year in Accra (Photo: Reuters)
Ivory Coast marksman Didier Drogba said his compatriot Yaya Toure fully deserved the African Player of the Year award.
Manchester City midfielder Toure, who led his club to the English Premier League title last season, was named the continent’s best player for the second year in a row on Thursday.
He beat off competition from Drogba, who steered Chelsea to their first-ever European Champions League triumph.
“I am happy for Yaya Toure to win tonight and he deserves it,” Drogba was quoted as saying by CAFonline.com.
“I knew it was going to be a close call with all three nominees but Yaya has maintained his consistency over the last two years and is a worthy winner of the award.
“Being in competition against Yaya and Alex (Song) was for me very difficult but for me, I don't mind if Yaya wins. I'm very proud of his achievements.”
Drogba, who joined China’s Shanghai Shenhua last summer, won the award twice in 2006 and 2009.
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