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Yaya Toure - One Africa's Greatest Players

Gnégnéri Yaya Touré (born 13 May 1983) is an Ivorian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for China League One club Qingdao Huanghai.

Touré aspired to be a striker during his youth and has played centre back, including for Barcelona in the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final. However, he has spent the majority of his career as a box-to-box midfielder for club and country, where he has been regarded as one of the world's best players in his position. One of the greatest African players of all time, Touré was voted African Footballer of the Year for 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Touré began his playing career at Ivorian club ASEC Mimosas, where he made his debut at age 18. His performances attracted attention from Europe. He had stints with Beveren, Metalurh Donetsk, Olympiacos and Monaco before moving to Barcelona in 2007. He played over 100 matches for the club and was part of the historic 2009 Barcelona side that won six trophies in a calendar year. In 2010, Touré moved to Premier League club Manchester City, where he scored a number of key goals, most notably the only goals in the 2011 FA Cup semi-final and final. He also helped City earn their first league title in 44 years.

Touré earned 100 caps for the Ivory Coast from 2004 to 2015, representing the nation at the 2006, 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cup tournaments. He also represented them in six Africa Cup of Nations in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2015, helping them finish runner-up in 2006 and 2012 while captaining them to victory in 2015. He is the younger brother of fellow footballer Kolo Touré, who was his teammate at Manchester City and on the national team.

Early career

Touré was born in Bouaké and joined the ASEC Mimosas youth academy in 1996 on the recommendation of his long-time mentor Patrick van Reijendam. A prominent figure in the ASEC academy was Jean-Marc Guillou. In 2001, Guillou invested heavily in a Belgian club, Beveren, with the aim of using the team to showcase Ivorian players in a European league. Touré moved to Beveren in 2001, one of many ASEC players to do so in this period. By 2003, he was one of 14 Ivorians in the Beveren squad.

In the summer of 2003, Touré had a trial with Arsenal. He started a pre-season friendly against Barnet on 19 July, playing as a second striker and then moving upfront in the second half. Manager Arsène Wenger recognised his talent but could not decide on his best position and described his performance against Barnet as "completely average". The match finished 0–0. Wenger was still keen to sign the then 20-year-old but Touré had difficulties in receiving a work permit. Ultimately, Touré grew impatient and opted to sign for Ukrainian side Metalurh Donetsk in December 2003, where he spent one-and-a-half years.

Olympiacos

Touré joined Olympiacos in 2005. Olympiacos won the double that season, and Touré was one of their key players. His performances in Greece were impressive and attracted interest from many clubs.

Monaco

After representing Ivory Coast at the 2006 World Cup, Yaya Touré was signed by French Ligue 1 side Monaco in August 2006. However, he had a difficult relationship with the incumbent manager, László Bölöni, with Touré claiming Bölöni refused to play him in his preferred midfield position. Bölöni was soon sacked with Monaco languishing in the second-last position in the league table.

Laurent Banide replaced Bölöni and Touré subsequently became an influential player in the second half of the season, scoring five times to help haul the club out of relegation difficulties. He had established himself as a key midfielder, and with interest from around Europe, he decided to join Barcelona in the summer of 2007.

Barcelona

Touré joined Spanish side Barcelona for €10 million and made his official debut for the club on 26 August 2007 during the La Liga season opener against Racing de Santander. In the 2007 Joan Gamper Trophy match against Inter Milan, Touré scored his first goal for Barcelona in the 5–0 victory. He scored his first official goal with Barcelona in a La Liga match against Athletic Bilbao on 2 September 2007, a 3–1 win. His first UEFA Champions League match for Barça was against Schalke in the 2007–08 quarter-final, securing a 2–0 aggregate victory and a berth in the semi-final.

During the early stages of the 2008–09 season, newly appointed manager Pep Guardiola favoured Sergio Busquets in the defensive role of Barcelona's midfield trio. In the 2009 Champions League Final, Touré played at centre back due to injuries and suspensions of first-choice defenders, despite having only played there twice before for Barcelona. In late June 2010, Barcelona confirmed that Touré would be allowed to leave the club in the summer.

Manchester City

On 2 July 2010, Touré signed a five-year deal with Premier League club Manchester City for a fee of around £24 million. He was issued squad number 42, the reverse of the number 24 shirt he wore at Barcelona since Patrick Vieira had already been allocated number 24. The move teamed Touré up with his elder brother Kolo, who signed for City in July 2009 from Arsenal.

On 28 July, Touré made his debut for City in a pre-season friendly against Club América, which City won 4–1 on penalties after a 1–1 draw with the Mexican side. In his home debut on 7 August, in a friendly against Valencia, he was named man of the match. 

2010–11 season

On 14 August 2010, Touré made his Premier League debut in a 0–0 draw against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. A week later, Touré impressed in the 3–0 defeat of Liverpool at Eastlands, forming a part of a three-man midfield with Gareth Barry and Nigel de Jong. On 19 September, Touré scored his first City goal, against Wigan Athletic. Touré had been seen to take up a more attacking position under Roberto Mancini and revelled in the position. In December, he scored a brilliant left-footed drive against West Ham United and soon scored a second, which was later credited as an own goal because the ball rebounded off the post onto goalkeeper Robert Green's back and bounced in.

In January 2011, Touré scored his third goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers in a delightful counter-attack move, with Touré making up 90 yards to latch onto the ball and fire it past the goalkeeper, with Manchester City eventually winning 4–3. Touré's fifth goal for City came on 25 February in a UEFA Europa League match against Aris. The goal was a deflected strike to make the score 3–0 to Manchester City. On 16 April 2011, Touré scored the only goal of the game in a Man of the Match performance against Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final. Touré continued his Wembley success by scoring the only goal in his side's 1–0 win over Stoke City in the 2011 FA Cup Final, ending Manchester City's 35-year wait for a major trophy, and writing himself into Manchester City folklore in the process. 

2011–12 season

The 2011–12 season began strongly as Manchester City led the table for the majority of the season, with Touré playing a vital part in midfield. On 21 December 2011, in a 3–0 home win over Stoke City, Touré set new Premier League records for most passes attempted (168) and most completed (157) in a single match. His efforts and performances were rewarded as he was crowned African Footballer of the Year for 2011, an impressive achievement for a midfielder since the previous 12 awards have gone to African forwards.

On 3 January 2012, in a match against Liverpool, Touré scored City's second goal of the match, a 33rd-minute header from a David Silva corner. He was later fouled for the penalty that made the score 3–0 to City. On 5 January, it was announced Touré would be leaving to join the Ivorian national team for the Africa Cup of Nations and would miss City's FA Cup third-round clash with fierce rivals Manchester United. 

As the 2011–12 came to a close, Manchester City lost ground to Manchester United in the Premier League title race. After a defeat by Arsenal on 8 April 2012, an eight-point deficit had been established between City and leaders United, with most writing off City's chances of winning the league with six matches remaining.

However, City defeated West Bromwich Albion 4–0, Norwich City 6–1, and Wolverhampton Wanderers 2–0 with United slipping-up, meaning the deficit at the top was now only three points with only three matches to play. A victory against Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium would move City to top on goal difference. The match was keenly anticipated as one of the most important matches in the Premier League's 20-year history. Manchester City won the match, thanks to Vincent Kompany who headed a goal just before half-time. Touré's performance throughout the match garnered many plaudits in the media, describing his performance as "dominant" and "magnificent".

Touré scored a brace on 6 May in City's 2–0 win over Newcastle United, moving three points above Manchester United with one match left to play in the Premier League season. Touré played the full first half before coming off due to injury as City defeated Queens Park Rangers 3–2 on the final day of the season, assisting Pablo Zabaleta's opening goal in the 39th minute, to secure the first league championship for the Sky Blues in 44 years.

2012–13 season

Touré started the 2012–13 season with a goal in the FA Community Shield in the 3–2 win over Chelsea in Aston Villa's stadium Villa Park. This goal was followed up by scoring first for City in two games, against Liverpool at Anfield and against Queens Park Rangers at home. In City's opening UEFA Champions League match of the season, away to Real Madrid, Touré produced a stellar individual performance, assisting an Edin Džeko goal and continually worrying the hosts. However, despite his best efforts, City lost 3–2 to a late Cristiano Ronaldo goal. He also scored in the Manchester derby, making it 2–1 to Manchester United, but City eventually lost 3–2. On 20 December 2012, Touré was crowned the 2012 African Player of the Year award at a ceremony in Accra, Ghana. It is the second time he had won the award. On 24 February 2013, after returning from the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, Touré scored the opening goal as City beat Chelsea 2–0 in the Premier League.

On 4 April 2013, Touré signed a new contract with City, keeping him at the club until 2017. On 14 April, he was named Man of the Match as City again beat Chelsea, this time in the semi-final of the FA Cup.

2013–14 season

Touré scored his first goal of the 2013–14 season with a free-kick as City defeated Newcastle United 4–0 in their opening Premier League match. In City's second home match of the season, he scored in a similar fashion from a free-kick against Hull City. His form continued with a goal from distance in the UEFA Champions League group match against Viktoria Plzeň on 17 September 2013. On 22 September, he scored the second goal in a 4–1 derby win over Manchester United and was named Man of the Match. His scoring streak continued when he scored directly from a free-kick against Wigan Athletic in the third round of the League Cup. On 2 November, he scored again from a direct free-kick, this time in a 7–0 victory against Norwich City. The goal was his fifth in the league and seventh overall. Then-City manager Manuel Pellegrini noted at the time that Touré regularly stayed behind after training to improve his free-kick technique.

Under Pellegrini, Touré was promoted to vice-captain. He regularly captained the team in the first half of the 2013–14 season in the absence of Vincent Kompany.

On 23 October 2013, Touré was the subject of racist abuse from CSKA Moscow supporters at the Arena Khimki in the group stage of the Champions League. On 2 December 2013, Touré was named the 2013 BBC African Footballer of the Year.

On 4 December 2013, Touré scored twice for Manchester City in a 3–2 win at West Bromwich Albion. This took his tally of league goals to seven, his highest in a single Premier League season.

On 2 March 2014, Touré scored the equalising goal for Manchester City in the 2014 League Cup final against Sunderland. The match ended in a 3–1 win for Manchester City. On 22 March 2014, he scored the first hat-trick in his career in a 5–0 win over Fulham at Etihad Stadium. Touré scored the third goal for Manchester City on 25 March 2014 in the Manchester Derby at Old Trafford, powering City to a 3–0 victory over their local rivals. On 13 April 2014, Touré suffered a groin injury and was substituted after just 19 minutes of a 3–2 defeat to Liverpool. 

2017–18 season

It was announced on 4 May 2018 that Touré would leave Manchester City at the end of the 2017–18 season. His final appearance came in the 3–1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.

Return to Olympiacos

Toure re-signed for Superleague Greece club Olympiacos on 2 September 2018. His contract with Olympiacos was terminated in December 2018 by mutual agreement.

Qingdao Huanghai

On 10 May 2019, it was reported Touré had retired from professional football and planned to start a coaching career. He later refuted the reports, clarifying he was preparing himself for coaching badges but was "still in contention to play for a few more years."

On 3 July 2019, Touré joined China League One side Qingdao Huanghai.

International career

Touré playing for the Ivory Coast in 2012. Touré has been a regular member of the Ivory Coast national team since his debut in 2004. In 2014, he was named captain of the team after the retirement of Didier Drogba. In February 2015, he won his 100th international cap in a 0–0 draw with Cameroon. 

In 2006, Touré appeared for Les Éléphants in all three of the team's matches at its first-ever World Cup. In the 2010 tournament, he again appeared in all of the Ivory Coast's matches, scoring the opening goal in a 3–0 win over North Korea. Touré made his third World Cup appearance during the 2014 competition and captained the team in their opening match – a 2–1 defeat of Japan in which he was named man of the match by FIFA.

Touré has represented the Ivory Coast at six Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2015; ending as runners-up in the 2006 and 2012 editions, and winners in 2015. Touré was named in the CAF's team of the tournament in 2008, 2012 and 2015. On 4 February 2015, Touré scored the opening goal in the Ivory Coast's 3–1 semi-final victory over DR Congo to qualify Les Éléphants for their third Africa Cup of Nations Final in nine years. On 8 February, Touré captained the Ivory Coast to its first AFCON win since 1992 with a penalty shootout defeat of Ghana at the Estadio de Bata in Equatorial Guinea.

On 20 September 2016, Touré announced his retirement from international football. He returned to the national team set-up in March 2018.

Didier Drogba: The Household Name of African Football

Without the slightest of doubts, Didier Drogba is one of the most famous faces of African football. Just by walking anywhere in Africa, you are sure to meet posters and replica jerseys full of Drogba's name. Born in 1978 in Abidjan Ivory Coast, Didier Drogba is a professional footballer who plays as a striker. He is the all-time top scorer and former captain of Ivory Coast and is famous for his playing days with Chelsea in England. Having spent most of his time in France, Drogba started his playing career with a semi-professional club Levallois before signing for Ligue 2 side Le Mans in France.

Even though his early times at Le Mans were not all that successful, Drogba signed for Guingamp from Le Mans for 80000 pounds and helped his new club avoid relegation by scoring 3 goals in 11 appearances. In his second season at Guingamp, Drogba scored 17 goals in 34 appearances helping the club to finish seventh in the French top flight, a record finish for the club. His impressive performances and professional attitude earned him a move to Olympique Marseille for a fee slightly above 3 million pounds. In his first season at Marseille, Drogba was so impressive during the season that he won the professional players' award, an award given by fellow professional colleagues. His performances in both the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Champions League where he scored more than ten goals attracted the attention of top European clubs including Chelsea, who signed him for a then club-record fee of 24 million pounds in 2004.

Chelsea Career

Having attracted an astronomical fee at the time, Drogba was always scrutinized for his performances, which in the first season were below par. Nevertheless, Drogba finished the season with 16 goals, a premiership trophy and a league cup medal. His subsequent seasons proved even more successful in his 8 years at Chelsea that ensured that he cemented his legendary place not only at Chelsea Football Club but also in the English Premier League. Some of his highlights with Chelsea were his amazing and unforgettable goals against Barcelona, Everton, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Bayern Munich. Drogba is famous for his marauding runs and his energy play, especially in the air and is well-known to have given some of the biggest defenders numerous problems. His place among the legends at Chelsea was cemented when he won the UEFA Champions League with the club in 2012 having scored a late equalizer before scoring the winning penalty.

After leaving Chelsea in the summer of 2012, Drogba had stints in China with Shanghai Shenhua, Galatasaray in Turkey before returning to Chelsea for another season. In his career with Chelsea, Drogba won 4 premier league trophies, four FA Cups, one UEFA Champions League and three league cups. In terms of national duty with Ivory Coast, Drogba represented Ivory Coast in 3 world cups and 6 African Nations Cup. He was the captain until his retirement from the national team and will be remembered as the scorer of the nation's first-ever goal at a World Cup.

Described as a late bloomer in football terms, Didier Drogba was known for his prolific goal-scoring instincts during his heydays. His physical strength and power in the air was always a challenge to opposing players. His passion for the game is still unwavering and is one of the living legends of African football.

George Weah: The Greatest African Footballer of All Time

It is not just by words or writings, but by actions and achievements, George Weah, born 01/10/1966 was and still is the greatest African Footballer of all time. He is the only African footballer to have become world player of the year. True to his title of the greatest African footballer of all time, George Weah began his footballing career in his native Liberia in the 1980s. He was spotted and brought to Europe in 1988 by the then Monaco manager Arsene Wenger. This was after starring for his local Liberian side where he won the Liberian Premier League and the Liberian Cup. His successful career at Monaco under Arsene Wenger led to the club winning the French Cup in 1991, as well as European Cup Winners' Cup in 1992.

It was his successful spell in Monaco that led to a move to Olympique Marseille where he won the French league crown and helping the club to a semi-final place in the UEFA Champions League where Weah is fondly remembered for his skilful and solo wonder goal against Bayern Munich in the group stages of the competition. Weah's performances in the UEFA Champions League earned him a move to the then European giants AC Milan, a club where Weah enjoyed his most successful stints as a football player. Weah helped his new club to two Italian League titles, but his new club did not repeat their earlier success in Europe. His performances in his first season at Milan, especially his goal-scoring prowess ensured that he was named the European Player of the Year and FIFA World Player of the Year becoming the first and only African native player to ever win these coveted awards. In fact, he was the fifth player in the world to have placed his hands on the FIFA award. One of the highlights of his career at Milan was his amazing solo effort during a league match against Verona where he covered the length of an entire football field to score a wonderful solo goal. Having received the ball just at the edge of his team's penalty box, George Weah started a marauding run, passing over seven opposing players before scoring arguably the best goal of his career.

Stints in England

The now ageing player left AC Milan in 2000 to join Chelsea in England where he won the FA Cup before moving to Manchester City and then again to Olympique Marseille. After a short spell at Marseille, Weah moved to the Middle East with Al Jazira in the UAE where he played his last games until his retirement in 2003. Despite all the successes at club level, Weah was not able to emulate his club performances with the Liberian national team as he was always surrounded by mediocre players. He was, however, always committed to the national team and would always captain, coach and finance the team in all their footballing activities. Nevertheless, he did help the national team to qualify for two editions of the Africa Nations Cup where they were both eliminated in the group stages.

Having been an African player of the year on three occasions, European Player of the Year and FIFA World Player of the Year, George Weah was voted as the African Player of the century by sportswriters all over the world; thus elevating him to the calibre of the Brazilian legend Pele and Johan Cruyff of Holland.