Asamoah Gyan backs Yaya Toure to retain African Player of the Year title

Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan has thrown his support behind Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure to win the 2013 CAF Player of the Year.

The UAE-based striker has been named in a 25-man preliminary list of nominees for the award.

But the Al Ain ace believes the Manchester City iconic figure, who is the reigning African Player of the Year, deserves it more than any other player.

“(Toure) has been fantastic for both club and country and for me he deserves this year's award more than anyone of the names (on the list),” the Al Ain striker told Football411 in an exclusive interview.

“Although I am no longer in England and I don't play in that country, I do watch most of their games, and even the UEFA Champions League, and Manchester City are doing well all because of Yaya.

“They (City) lost their coach (Roberto Mancini) and a new one has taken over (Manuel Pellegrini), but he (Toure) is still doing well.

“He has also been able to help his nation, Ivory Coast, qualify for the upcoming World Cup in Brazil. He scored some fantastic goals so, for me, he deserves it more than any other player to win the best player on the African continent.”

The CAF awards gala is scheduled to take place on January 9, 2014 in Lagos, Nigeria.