Borussia Dortmund’s Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang beats Manchester City and Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure, winning CAF African player of the year award.
Toure, who was vying to win the award for a fifth successive year, was complimentary towards Aubameyang but appeared to think his achievement as the African Nations Cup-winning captain was not sufficiently recognised.
The 32-year-old told radio station RFI: “I am very, very disappointed. It’s sad to see Africa react like this, not giving any importance to African (competitions).
“I think it brings shame on Africa. It is indecent. What can we do?
“We, Africans, we do not show that Africa is important in our eyes. We prioritise external achievements over our own continent. It is lamentable.”
Toure made his comments after the awards ceremony in Nigeria. He finished runner-up with 136 voting points to Aubameyang’s 143.
Aubameyang scored 41 goals and made 11 assists for club and country during 2015, including 18 strikes in 17 Bundesliga games this season.
Toure earlier said: “I’m quite disappointed, but I don’t want to complain too much.
“I just want to give credit to Aubameyang – you’ve been doing brilliantly well this year.”
Aubameyang, 26, wrote on Instagram: ”Thanks to my Father and Mother thanks to my son and his Mom thanks to my family to my friends to my teammates @bvb09 and from Gabon national team thanks to my fans and thanks God and everybody.”
Swansea and Ghana forward Andre Ayew finished third in the poll with 112 points.
