Yaya Toure pips Mikel to BBC African Footballer of the Year Award

 
Ivory Coast and Manchester United FC of England midfielder, Yaya Toure has won the 2013 BBC African Footballer of the Year award.

30-year-old Toure who has been nominated for the award in the past four years beat John Mikel Obi, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Victor Moses and Jonathan Pitroipa to this year's crown.

"I think I've been nominated for five years in a row and finally winning the award is amazing," he told BBC Sport.
"I also think African football is improving and that means a lot to us. And as an African, I'm very happy."
The Ivorian, who is also a two-time winner of the Confederation of African Football’s Player of the Year award, is the only African footballer on FIFA's 23-man shortlist for this year’s World Player of the Year Award.
The last time a Nigerian won the BBC African Footballer of the Year Award for 2013 was in 2004 when Jay Jay Okocha, who played for Bolton and Nigeria at the time, made it a double having won the 2003 edition also.
It was expected that Mikel Obi, who has been phenomenal for the Super Eagles, would bring back the trophy to Nigeria.
The Super Eagles and Chelsea FC of England midfield maestro can now only set his sights on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Footballer of the Year Awards which will be announced in January 2014.