Cote d’Ivoire captain, Yaya Toure, has expressed his anger and frustration after missing out of the Glo-CAF African Footballer of the Year award.
The Manchester City midfielder was beaten by Borussia Dortmund’s Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the annual vote of national coaches from Confederation of African Football countries.
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.
“I’m very, very disappointed,” Toure told Afrique Foot.
“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.
“I give an example: it’s Lionel Messi who wins all the trophies but it’s Ronaldo who is Ballon d’Or. What would you say? It would be unfair.
“Yaya will look after himself, and let Africa look after itself. Like I’m often told, you shouldn’t worry too much about Africa, because Africa will be the first to let you down.”
The 32-year-old midfielder won the 2015 African Cup of Nations with the Elephants compared to his rival who was eliminated in the group phase with Gabon.
