Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Andre Ayew, Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mane and Yaya Toure made the list but not the Spurs star.
Victor Wanyama in action for Kenya
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Victor Wanyama has slammed the BBC for their African Footballer of the Year shortlist.
This week saw the BBC announce the nominees for this year’s award. The five-man shortlist consists of Borussia Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, West Ham United attacker Andre Ayew, Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez, Liverpool speedster Sadio Mane and Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure – with the winner announced later this month.
It is the presence of the latter which has caused the most debate, considering his outcast status at Manchester City.
It has certainly not gone down well with the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder. He told Capital Sport in Kenya he felt he deserved a place on the list, but that he would not be letting it get to him:
“I thought I deserved but it is what it is. I don’t know the criteria they use but it is BBC and they will always be BBC.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola with Yaya Toure as he is substituted as Raheem Sterling (L) prepares to come on
“I am only focused on club and country at this moment and I don’t care what BBC wants to do or who they want to give.”
Wanyama certainly has a case. He had an excellent campaign with Southampton last season and has been brilliant for Spurs since making his switch to White Hart Lane in the summer.
Tottenham’s Victor Wanyama during training
It is likely the lowly status of Kenya in the African football pyramid might have worked against him. Wanyama is however clearly focused on moving forward with Spurs and taking Kenya up in the FIFA World Rankings.
If he can do that, then this time next year he will surely receive a nomination.
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