Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Humbled by the achievement, determined by the challenge

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was on Thursday night  named 2015 African Player of the Year at the Glo-CAF Awards in Abuja, Nigeria.

Background

 

Pierre-Emerick Aubameng was nominated for the best player on the African continent after an impressive stint with German Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund.

The player for the year under review played 47 games and scored 39 goals for both club and country. The Gabon international made the final ten-man list including Yaya Toure, Yacine Brahimi, Sofiane Feghouli, Serge Aurier, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Modather Al Tayeb, Aymen Abdemnnour and Andre Ayew.

The German Bundesliga player made the final cut to a three-man list going up against Ghana and Swansea City’s Andre Ayew and Ivory Coast and Manchester City’s Yaya Toure.

The votes

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang took Africa’s top individual accolade with 143 points from votes from coaches and technical directors. 2014 African Player of the Year Yaya Toure was the runner-up with 136 points as Andre Ayew placed third with 112 points.

Post winning

 

An emotional Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in his press interview after the award ceremony expressed his excitement for winning the top prize on the night.

The Gabon player also revealed his ambition to retain the title next year and squashed rumours of a possible transfer move to English Premier League side Arsenal.

Comment on winning the 2015 African Player of the Year

Of course I’m emotional. It is a really big achievement to win this award.

When you have contenders like Yaya Toure and Andre Ayew, it’s even a bigger achievement to win the award because they are great players. I really admire them.

I’m so happy. I’m not usually someone who cries but it’s quite and emotional moment.

Retaining the African Player of the Year title

I have the skills and the talent to make it again next year but it will take hard work. I will need to work hard to be able to remain the best African footballer next year.

We have many top African football players around the world and it’s such a big challenge but I hope to be back next year.

Arsenal rumours

 

I won’t go to Arsenal. I’m with Borussia Dortmund.