Confederation of African Football (CAF) yesterday named Yaya Toure of Cote d'Ivoire the African Player of the Year 2012 at a colourful ceremony in Accra, Ghana.

The Ivorian, who was also winner last year, edged out compatriot Didier Drogba and Cameroon's Alexander Song to take home the topmost honour at the Awards Gala yesterday at the Banquet Hall, State House in Accra.

The hardworking midfielder, who plays for English side Manchester City gained the highest votes in the poll decided by votes from the Head Coaches or Technical Directors of the National Associations affiliated to CAF.

The honour caps a wonderful year for the midfield maestro who has been in scintillating form for club and country. Toure is winning the topmost individual honour in African football for the first time and he joins compatriot Didier Drogba as the only Ivorians to have laid claim to the award since its inception in 1992.

The African Player of the Year (based in Africa) award went to Egypt's veteran attacker Mohammed Aboutrika.

Former winners include Ghana, Abedi Pele, Liberia, George Weah (the only African player to have been crowned FIFA World Footballer of the Year), Morocco, Mustapha Hadji, Mali, Frederic Kanoute and Togo, Emmanuel Adebayor.

The Chipolopolo of Zambia were named the Africa's National Team of the Year while Nzalang Nacional of Equatorial Guinea were named Africa's Women's National Team of the Year.

Cameroon's longest serving captain Rigobert Song was awarded the Legend of the Year.