EKO HOT BLOG reports that Former Chelsea midfielder and Nigerian international, John Obi Mikel, has claimed that he was unjustly robbed of the African Footballer of the Year Award in 2013.
Despite winning the 2013 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in South Africa, Mikel missed out on the prestigious individual award to Manchester City legend Yaya Toure.
In a recent interview with Dubai Eye 103.8, Mikel disclosed that he was on his way to Nigeria when he heard the news that Toure had won the award.
He revealed that he had been informed that he was the winner of the award before he left for Nigeria, but was left shocked to find out that the trophy had been awarded to Toure.
Mikel stated that he was convinced he deserved the award, having won the AFCON, Europa League, and Champions League titles in the year under review.
He also claimed that he was in his prime, playing a lot of games and that the number of goals scored by Toure should not have been the sole criterion for winning the award.
The former Super Eagles captain added that the ceremony was poorly organized, with many people leaving the stage before the award was announced. He noted that he had expected to be called up to receive the award and was disappointed when it was given to Toure.
Mikel’s claim has stirred reactions from football fans across the continent, with many calling for a review of the award system. While some believe that Mikel was indeed deserving of the award, others have argued that Toure’s impressive performance for Manchester City in the year under review justified his win.
It remains to be seen if Mikel’s claim will prompt a review of the award system or if it will go down as another controversial moment in the history of African football.
“I got robbed of the African Footballer of The Year Award. Before I went, I was told I won it. I was at the airport flying to Nigeria because the ceremony was in Nigeria, and Man City was playing, and Yaya Toure scored two goals.
“I won the Nations cup (AFCON), I won the Europa League and a year before that, I won the Champions League. There is no way I wouldn’t have won it. I knew I had won it. It doesn’t matter how many goals he scored. I was in my prime, playing a lot of games.
“You could have seen the ceremony. Before it was even announced, everybody left the stage, people left.”
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