Yaya Toure, a former midfielder for Ivory Coast, has proposed that John Mikel Obi, the former captain of the Nigerian Super Eagles, was unfairly passed over for the disputed 2013 CAF African Player of the Year award.
This remark from Yaya Toure came in a recent installment of Mikel Obi’s podcast, which featured the two celebrated football icons discussing their distinguished careers, individual accomplishments, and key moments in football history at length.
Yaya Toure clinched the prestigious title in 2013, but he insists that Mikel Obi’s exceptional contributions that season deserve equal acknowledgment.
Mikel’s key contribution to Nigeria’s impressive achievement at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where the Super Eagles emerged victorious and secured their first AFCON title in almost 20 years, was underscored by Toure.
Mikel’s outstanding displays, both in his role as a midfielder and as a leader on the field, were crucial in steering his team to victory, establishing him as a pivotal figure in Nigeria’s historic campaign.
In the podcast interview, Mikel Obi, remaining true to his longstanding conviction that he was overlooked for the award, jokingly questioned Toure about any potential advance knowledge he might have had regarding the winner’s announcement before it became public.
Mikel humorously disclosed that he had also heard rumors about the voting results prior to their official announcement.
Toure, in his reply, underscored his regard for Mikel Obi by saying, “To be honest, you deserve it, Obi. The season was flawless… you played a crucial role.
He clarified that he had not been informed in advance of his own victory, emphasizing the merit of Mikel’s exceptional performances throughout the season, which included his notable contributions to Chelsea in the Premier League
About The Author
