Five African Player of the Year facts
-- Ivory Coast and Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure holds the record for consecutive victories with four from 2011.
-- Cameroon have been the most successful nation with 11 first places, including four for legendary striker Samuel Eto'o.
-- Former Chelsea and Ghana midfielder Michael Essien made the top three five consecutive times from 2005 without ever winning.
-- Retired Cameroon star Roger Milla was the last Africa-based winner, being attached to Reunion club Saint-Denis when voted number one in 1990.
-- Goalkeepers Thomas N'Kono (twice) of Cameroon and Badou Zaki of Morocco topped the poll, but no defender has been chosen Player of the Year.