Yaya Toure wins African Footballer of the Year twice in a row

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has retained the African Footballer of the Year title.

The Ivory Coast international held off competition from compatriot Didier Drogba and Cameroon’s Alex Song, who plays for Barcelona.

The 29-year-old was adjudged winner of the continent’s highest individual football prize for 2012 by coaches of national teams affiliated to the Confederation of African Football (Caf).

“This night is so special for me,” Toure said after receiving the prize in Ghana’s capital, Accra on Thursday. “Thanks to all of you. Even my captain is here today. Thanks to everyone and we are happy for this award.”

Winners of the other categories are:

National Team of the Year – Zambia

National Women’s Team of the Year – Equatorial Guinea

Club of the Year – Al Ahly

Fair Play Award – Gabon Supporters Union

Coach of the Year Award – Herve Renard

Most Promising Talent Award – Mohamed Salah (Egypt)

Women’s Footballer of the Year – Genoveva Anonma (Equatorial Guinea)

Referee of the Year – Gamal Hymoudy (Algeria)

Caf Legend of the Year Award – Rigobert Song (Cameroon) and Mahmoud El Gohary (Egypt)

African Player of the year – Based in Africa – Egypt’s Mohamed Aboutreika – Al-Ahly
Zambia’s Rainford Kalaba – TP Mazembe
Zambia’s Stoppila Sunzu – TP Mazembe