Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang alongside Yaya Toure at the Glo CAF Awards 2016
ABUJA: After four successive wins by Ivorian Yaya Toure, Gabonese and Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been crowned Africa’s footballer of the year 2015 by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The crowning of Aubameyang on Thursday night as Africa’s best footballer in the year 2015 at a well-attended gathering held in the Nigerian capital Abuja was the high point of the event which had top football functionaries, including FIFA acting president Issa Hayatou who doubles as CAF president in attendance.
The Gabonese, who is the leading Bundesliga scorer this season, was reduced to tears after stopping Yaya Toure getting a fifth straight title on Thursday night.
“I am staying at Dortmund,” the 26-year-old Aubameyang said when commenting on his link to Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool, said after accepting the prize at a gala in Abuja.
“I am so happy. I am not someone who usually cries but it is quite an emotional moment.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
When you are standing alongside players like Yaya Toure or Andre Ayew there is pride in winning such a trophy ahead of them because they are great players and I obviously admire them a lot.”
Being the first player from Gabon to win the title, he said hope to get a second award next year with his rich run of form.
“I will really have to work a lot. Obviously I think I have the skills and the talent to make it again next year but it will require lots of work and many sacrifices as well.”
Aubameyang, who has scored 18 goals in 17 Bundesliga games this season, earned 143 points in a poll of African coaches, seven more than Manchester City’s Toure. Ghana and Swansea City striker Andre Ayew was third on 112 points.
“I am disappointed but that won’t take anything from anybody,” said Toure, the Ivorian captain. “I am sure Andre is also disappointed after what he did last year.
“This is not the time to complain. We will all go back and continue to work hard.”
Aubameyang consequently dedicated his title to his country and Gabon’s President Ali Bongo Ondimba was among the first to congratulate him.
“His genius is a major asset for the Panthers in preparation for the next African Cup of Nations,” said Bongo. Gabon will host the next next African championship in 2017.
“We have good players and a good national team in Gabon,” declared Aubameyang.
The Full Winners:
AFRICAN PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Pierre-Emerick AUBAMEYANG (Gabon)
AFRICAN PLAYER OF THE YEAR – BASED IN AFRICA – Mbwana Aly SAMATTA
WOMEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Gaelle ENGANAMOUIT (Cameroon)
YOUTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Victor OSIMHEN (Nigeria)
MOST PROMISING TALENT OF THE YEAR – Etebo Peter OGHENEKARO (Nigeria)
COACH OF THE YEAR – Herve RENARD (France) – Former Coach of Cote d’Ivoire
REFEREE OF THE YEAR – Bakary Papa GASSAMA (Gambia)
NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR – Cote d’Ivoire
WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR – Cameroon
CLUB OF THE YEAR – TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
LEADER OF THE YEAR – Abdiqani Said Arab (Somalia)
FAIR PLAY AWARD – Allez Casa Supporters Group (Senegal)
AFRICAN LEGENDS:
Charles Kumi GYAMFI (Ghana)
Samuel MBAPPE LEPPE (Cameroon)
AFRICA FINEST XI:
Goalkeeper: Robert Muteba KIDIABA (DR Congo)
Defenders: Serge AURIER (Cote d’Ivoire), Aymen ABDENNOUR (Tunisia), Mohamed MEFTAH (Algeria)
Midfielders: Andre AYEW (Ghana), Yaya TOURE (Cote d’Ivoire), Sadio MANE (Senegal), Yacine BRAHIMI (Algeria),
Forwards: Mbwana Aly SAMATTA (Tanzania), Pierre-Emerrick AUBAMEYANG (Gabon), Baghdad BOUNEDJAH (Algeria)
Substitutes:
Djigui DIARRA (Mali)
Azubuike OKECHUKWU (Nigeria)
Kelechi NWAKALI (Nigeria)
Zinedine FERHAT (Algeria)
Adama TRAORE (Mali)
Victor OSIMHEN (Nigeria)
Kermit ERASMUS (South Africa)
This was his second time of winning such award after the 47-year-old also led Zambia to upset favourites Ivory Coast to lift a first-ever Nations Cup trophy in 2012.
“You never win alone so I would like to congratulate my staff,” said Renard.
“I would like to congratulate the Ivory Coast Federation because they believed in me and I dedicate this trophy to all the people around the world from Ivory Coast because it was an amazing victory for us, after 23 years they were waiting this trophy.”
According to the CAF website, The Confederation of African Football (CAF) awards is a yearly ritual instituted to honor footballers and personalities who have excelled in various departments of the game as well as making meaningful contribution to its development in the continent.
The awards which dates back to 1970 when the best African Footballer of the Year was recognized, has expanded to other categories with the inclusion of women footballers for their enormous contribution to the game.
Increasingly enjoying great popularity beyond the shores of Africa, the awards is bestowed on every individual on pure merit for his or her exemplary contribution towards the development and promotion of football, on and off the pitch within the continent and outside.
Notably, the awards has continued to inspire and enhance the performance of the footballers, which is one of the contributing factors to standard and quality of football enjoyed today in the continent.
The recipients are worthy ambassadors, projecting the good image of African football within the continent and the World in general, and serving as great role models.
The ceremony is one of the most anticipated footballing events in Africa, in which illustrious sons and daughters of the continent, who have excelled in soccer or administering football the previous year, are given recognition. This year’s edition is the 44th award ceremony since its commencement by CAF.
