Yaya Toure becomes Africa's best player
December 23, 2011
Ivorian football player Yaya Toure is now one of Africa's greats. The 28-year-old, who also turns out for English top premiership club Manchester City, has been named African Footballer of the year 2011. In a poll of national coaches of the 53-member associations making up the Confederation of African Football, Toure came out ahead of Mali and Barcelona midfielder Seydou Keita and Ghana's striker Andre Ayew.
Toure was born on May 13, 1983 in Bouake, Ivory Coast and is a product of the fabled ASEC Abidjan football academy which has produced more than 20 players who have gone on to play for European clubs.
Only 18 years old, Toure moved to Belgium where he joined Beveren, and from there he never looked back. In 2003 he transferred to Ukrainian team Metalurg Donetsk and later in 2005 signed for Greek side Olympiakos Piraeus after an unsuccessful trial with London-based club, Arsenal.
French first division side Monaco were quick to nab him after an impressive showing at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Playing among the best
Then, in 2007, renowned Spanish giants Barcelona came knocking with 9 million euros ($12 million). Due to stiff competition, Toure lost his place in the starting line-up and regularly spoke of his desire to leave the club. During his stint, Barcelona won two league titles and went on to win the Champions League in 2009.
His current club Manchester City reportedly paid 24 million pounds (29 million euros,$38 million) to acquire him, and their huge investment seems to be paying off after Yaya Toure scored the lone goal against Stoke City to help his club win the 2011 FA cup, ending a 35-year trophy drought. He was also key to Ivory Coast's 100 percent qualification campaign for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations finals to be held jointly by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea
Toure got his first cap for the Ivorian national team in 2004 when they played in a World Cup qualifier against Egypt. Since then he has played in two World Cups and featured in three African Nations Cup finals.
Author: Chrispin Mwakideu (AP, Reuters)
Editor: Susan Houlton / mik