BBC name African player of the year shortlist
On Saturday, in the midst of Africa World Cup qualifiers, the BBC named their African player of the year shortlist for 2016.
Five names were included: Liverpool’s Sadio Mane, Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez, Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure, West Ham’s Andre Ayew and Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
From those five names, it looks likely that it will be between Mahrez and Aubameyang to win the award.
And, after Leicester City’s heroics, and his key role for Claudio Ranieri’s side, Mahrez is the likely winner.
Yaya Toure has been a regular on this list and has a checkered history with the African player of the year award.
“Did they mean Kolo?!”
No one is doubting what a brilliant player Yaya Toure has been for the likes of Barcelona, Manchester City and the Ivory Coast.
But, the internet has reacted in bewilderment to the fact Yaya has been shortlisted for this award.
This is the eighth time Yaya Toure has been shortlisted and even his fans on Twitter reacted in astonishment.
After all, Toure is barely playing for Manchester City right now and 2016 has been pretty poor from his perspective.
It is worth pointing out that Yaya Toure has not played a single match for Ivory Coast in 2016 and has been frozen out at Manchester City by Pep Guardiola.
So, Toure has scored three goals in 2016 and makes the top five African player shortlist from the BBC.
Since there are so many other deserving options, this is nothing short of a scandal!
As many have pointed out, Kolo Toure, Yaya’s brother has done more in 2016 to make this shortlist.
Salah, Moses, Wanyama…
And, there are tons of African players emerging as serious world stars.
Mohamed Salah is ripping up Serie A at Roma and looks to be yet another ex-Chelsea player coming good elsewhere.
At Chelsea, Victor Moses is performing wonders in a right wing back role and is becoming a key player for Nigeria.
We also shouldn’t forget Jon Obi Mikel who performed well for Nigeria at the Olympics.
Nor either Victor Wanyama who has been colossal for Spurs since joining from Southampton in the summer.
We haven’t even mentioned Alex Iwobi or Kelechi Iheanacho…
Seriously, what the hell is Yaya Toure doing there?!
I dont understand how Yaya Toure was nominated for BBC African Footballer of the Year
It’s an honour to be on the shortlist for the BBC African Footballer of the Year award for an eighth time. Vote here http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37622426 …
@YayaToure @ManCity You’ve done nothing for us this season, except whinge and get injured #MCFC
It’s an honour to be on the shortlist for the BBC African Footballer of the Year award for an eighth time. Vote here http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37622426 …
@YayaToure Why would anyone vote for you? You ridiculed the winner last year? Please don’t be a sore loser this time.
It’s an honour to be on the shortlist for the BBC African Footballer of the Year award for an eighth time. Vote here http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37622426 …
@YayaToure @BBCSport lol. Can you remind us of what you have done this year? Besides, staying on the bench the whole time.
It’s an honour to be on the shortlist for the BBC African Footballer of the Year award for an eighth time. Vote here http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37622426 …
@YayaToure @BBCSport Played shit under Pellegrini havent played a game in 6 months
Why has @YayaToure been nominated for African footballer of the year? Done nothing to warrant it. Mahrez or Aubameyang should walk it
Yaya Toure has been nominated for the BBC African Footballer of the Year award.
Hmmm
