Dortmund player, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has hit back at criticisms from Ivory Coast’s Yaya Toure and Swansea midfielder Andre Ayew over his African Football’s player of the year award.

Recall that in a vote of coaches and technical directors of Caf nations, Aubameyang who has been the Bundesliga’s leading scorer so far this season with 18 goals, garnered 143 points, with Toure and Ayew getting136 and 112 points respectively.

Yet, Yaya Toure and Ghana’s Andre Ayew insisted that he doesn’t deserve the award. Toure even said the decision had brought “shame” on the continent.

Reacting to their comments, Aubameyang said “I was hurt by what was said. I spoke with Ayew, I did not understand [his attitude]. It doesn’t matter. The Golden Ball [of Africa] is played on all season. It’s a shame. The award is based on the whole year and not just the African Cup of Nations,” The Gabon international said.