Ivorian midfield maestro Yaya Toure (seen in photo) this night emerged African Footballer of the Year for the second straight year. The Manchester City of England star who bagged the same honours last year unexpectedly beat his compatriot Didier Drogba to retain the title. Toure played a big role in City winning the English Premiership last season.

It was kind of an anti-climax as Drogba, who now plies his trade in China, recorded great exploits last season, during which he helped Chelsea to win the European Champions League for the first time ever. Also nominated for the award is Cameroun’s Alexander Song.

Other winners on the night included reigning African champions Zambia (Male Football Team of the Year), Equatorial Guinea (Female Football Team of the Year), and Al Alhy of Egypt (Club of the Year).

It was excitement galore as dignitaries, players and the African football fraternities the Banquet Hall of the State House in Accra, capital of Ghana, for the event.

Sponsors Globacom and events organiser CAF (Confederation of African Football) dragged top musical acts to perform at the awards. The roll call included Salif Keita, Ladysmith Black Mambazo , Lagbaja, Princess of Africa Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Asem and Kwabena.

All the winners

1992 Abedi AYEW PELÉ (Ghana)

1993 Rashidi YEKINI (Nigeria)

1994 Emmanuel AMUNIKE (Nigeria)

1995 George WEAH (Liberia)

1996 Nwankwo KANU (Nigeria)

1997 Victor IKPEBA (Nigeria)

1998 Mustapha HADJI (Morocco)

1999 Nwankwo KANU (Nigeria)

2000 Patrick MBOMA (Cameroon)

2001 El-Hadji DIOUF (Senegal)

2002 El Hadji DIOUF (Senegal)

2003 Samuel ETO'O (Cameroon)

2004 Samuel ETO'O (Cameroon)

2005 Samuel ETO'O (Cameroon)

2006 Didier DROGBA (Côte d’Ivoire)

2007 Frédéric KANOUTE (Mali)

2008 Emmanuel ADEBAYOR (Togo)

2009 Didier DROGBA (Côte d’Ivoire)

2010 Samuel ETO'O (Cameroon)

2011 Yaya TOURE (Côte d’Ivoire)

2012 Yaya TOURE (Côte d’Ivoire)