Gaboness Striker Aubameyang grab 2015 Africa Footballer of the Year Award

The 26-year old Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Gabon beat Ivorian Yaya Toure and Ghana’s Andre Ayew to the most prestigious individual award in African football.                                

Aubameyang dedicates Award to Gabon after he was declare the winner,and he also Says he’ll be back once again

The 2015 Africa Player of the Year winner also says his victory is an indication of the quality of football in Gabon.

‘This award means football in Gabon is good and there’s quality in Gabon.

The Dortmund forward polled 143 points, seven more than Toure whilst Ayew finished a distant third with 112 points; thus becoming the first from his country.

An elated Aubameyang said he was proud with the honor and is keen on a return to the Awards next year.

”When you’re next to players like Yaya Toure and Andre Ayew, you are proud to win this trophy in front of them because they are great players that I admire a lot,” Aubameyang said.

“I will have to work, I will have to work a lot,” he said.
“But I have the qualities to be there again next year. But it is hard work and sacrifice too.”

Reported by http://footballlive.ng

Kolo Toure Confirms Retirement from International Duty

Liverpool and Ivory coast defender kolo Toure has confirmed he will retire from international football after helping Ivory Coast win the African Cup of Nations earlier this month.
                    
Toure, who made his debut for the Elephants in April 2000, had previously spoken of his intentions to sign off from duty with his country after the tournament in Equatorial Guinea.

Throughout the competition, the Liverpool man outlined his desire to depart on high - and he achieved just that after an exhilarating 9-8 penalty shootout victory in the AFCON final against Ghana.

Toure is expected back at Melwood on Monday to link up with his Liverpool teammates following their FA Cup fifth round comeback against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Speaking to RTI Sport in Abidjan, the defender said: "It is with great emotion that I inform you that I'm going to step back.

"My goal was to win the Africa Cup of Nations and I must admit that it was a very difficult decision to make. I do love my country and especially love football, but at some point, there comes a time to stop."

Courtesy of  Reports: (Liverpoolfc.com) 

Ivory Coast players rewarded awesomely by their President after winning AFCON

Cote d'Ivore players rewarded € 46,000 each and a house for winning AFCON

President Alassane Ouattara hosted the 2015 Africa champions at his Presidential palace in Abidjan on Tuesday, to reward their successful continental campaign.
                       
Each player was granted a house with a value of € 46,000 as well as the same amount in cash, while Elephants' coach Herve Renard received more than € 114,000 for leading the country to African glory.

"You managed to rebuild a strong team working as one towards one goal - winning and winning more. It's a lesson in rallying people together," President Ouattarra told the Frenchman.

Furthermore, the entire squad was made Knight of the National Order, with veterans Copa Barry, Siaka Tiene, Kolo and Yaya Toure and coach Renard being elevated to the rank of Officer of the National Order.

As for the Ivoririan Football Federation, they were granted € 380,000, while the Elephants' technical and administrative staff enjoyed  € 460,000 to share.

Read full (Ghana soccernet.com)

AFCON 2015: Ivorian edge Ghana on Penalties to win the 30th Afcon Edition

Ivory Coast defeated Ghana 9-8 on penalties to win the 2015 African Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea . The ivorian has now won the Tournament twice 1992 and 2015.
                       
The match was sent into penalty shoot-out after 120 minutes of scoreless draw, the Elephants however ended their 23-years title drought with the magic touch of coach Harvey Renard.
                       
He has now become the first ever coach to win the African Cup of Nations with two different nations.

The first he won was back in 2012 with the Chipolopolo of Zambia and has now written his name in the history of AFCON.

AFCON 2015: Ivory Coast Trash DR Congo to Cruise into Final

The Elephants of Cote d'voire are through to the final of the on-going 2015 African Cup of nations after defeating Democratic republic of Congo in the Semi final by 3-1.

Google Image: Yaya Toure Celebrate his goal

Captain Yaya Toure put the Ivory Coast in front, with a power long-range shot, but in the 24 min Mbokani Bezua penalty leveled things up for the Leopards of Congo after Eric Bailly was the culprits to have handled in the box.

But the Elephants restored their lead through Gervinho with a curler after error from the Congo midfield to open up their defense and it was  perfectly buried into Muteba Kidiaba net.

The Ivorians made sure of victory when Wilfried Kanon kneed home after Serge Aurier's header had been saved to seal the game.

Ivory Coast now have a chance of wining the African cup of nations once again since 1992 when they won it last, but will have to settle the scores between the winner of the second semi final game to be played later today Thursday around 8 pm.

The match will be between 1982 Champions Ghana and the current host nation Equatorial Guinea.