Cote d'Ivoire midfielder says Okocha, Kanu are his idols

Speaking in a Q & A session, Toure who is nominated for the 2016 BBC African Player of the Year said he idolised the Nigerian greats.

Cote d’Ivoire veteran midfielder Yaya Toure has revealed that Nigerian football legends Austin Okocha and Kanu Nwankwo are his African idols.

Known for his insane skills and trickery, Okocha who played for the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Bolton Wanderers is known as one of the most talented football players of his time.

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Kanu won African Player of the Year twice and won the Champions League, UEFA Cup, league titles and other trophies.

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Speaking in a Q & A session, Toure who is nominated for the 2016 BBC African Player of the Year said he idolised the Nigerian greats.

"Nwankwo Kanu, Okocha, Abedi Pele (on who his African football idols are). I also have so many that were so good," the Manchester City midfielder told BBC Sports.

The 33-year-old is competing with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Gabon and Borussia Dortmund, Algeria and Leicester City's Riyad Mahrez, Senegal and Liverpool's Sadio Mane and Andre Ayew of Ghana and West Ham United for the BBC Player of the Year award.