Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure won Africa's top football honour on Thursday, beating off fellow Ivory Coast star Didier Drogba in second place with Alexandre Song of Cameroon, in third.
Toure, 29, claimed the African Player of the Year award for the second year in succession, joining Senegal and Leeds United forward El-Hadji Diouf on two victories; however he still has a long way to match the achievement of Anzhi Makhachkala striker Samuel Eto'o who has won four titles.
He was crowned at an awards ceremony held in Ghana's capital, Accra, after being voted by the head coaches or technical directors of countries affiliated to the CAF.
The midfielder appeared to tear up when his name was called on the stage.
"I have a lot of emotion," he said after accepting the award. "I think this night is so special for me."
He has been regularly praised by his manager Roberto Mancini for his versatile and dynamic personality, helping his club Manchester City win the English Premier League title last season, their first in 44 years.
Also, Toure is a very important man in the Ivory Coast team ready to head towards the African Cup of Nations starting in South Africa next month.
His second CAF award was announced on the night when the former Chelsea star Drogba, now playing for Shanghai Shenhua, awaited his third win.
Drogba was hoping to get a step closer to Cameroonian Samuel Eto'o's record but accepted that his fellow Ivorian was a deserving winner who has displayed extraordinary flair in games with consistency.
"Being in competition against Yaya and Alex was for me very difficult," said the striker. "For me, I don't mind, if Yaya wins. I'm very proud."
Meanwhile, Alexandre Song, a 25-year Barcelona midfielder, was nominated for the very first time this year, after a season that included strong play for Arsenal before Barcelona picked him up for £16million in the summer.
Toure, 29, claimed the African Player of the Year award for the second year in succession, joining Senegal and Leeds United forward El-Hadji Diouf on two victories; however he still has a long way to match the achievement of Anzhi Makhachkala striker Samuel Eto'o who has won four titles.
He was crowned at an awards ceremony held in Ghana's capital, Accra, after being voted by the head coaches or technical directors of countries affiliated to the CAF.
The midfielder appeared to tear up when his name was called on the stage.
"I have a lot of emotion," he said after accepting the award. "I think this night is so special for me."
He has been regularly praised by his manager Roberto Mancini for his versatile and dynamic personality, helping his club Manchester City win the English Premier League title last season, their first in 44 years.
Also, Toure is a very important man in the Ivory Coast team ready to head towards the African Cup of Nations starting in South Africa next month.
His second CAF award was announced on the night when the former Chelsea star Drogba, now playing for Shanghai Shenhua, awaited his third win.
Drogba was hoping to get a step closer to Cameroonian Samuel Eto'o's record but accepted that his fellow Ivorian was a deserving winner who has displayed extraordinary flair in games with consistency.
"Being in competition against Yaya and Alex was for me very difficult," said the striker. "For me, I don't mind, if Yaya wins. I'm very proud."
Meanwhile, Alexandre Song, a 25-year Barcelona midfielder, was nominated for the very first time this year, after a season that included strong play for Arsenal before Barcelona picked him up for £16million in the summer.
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