‘I Was Robbed’ of 2013 CAF Award’: Mikel Obi Recounts CAF Player of Year Controversy
Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has revealed how he felt ‘robbed’ of the 2013 CAF Player of the Year Award, recounting the events in a candid interview with Dubai Eye FM.
The former Chelsea midfielder, who won the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria in 2013 and lifted the Europa League with Chelsea the same year, said he was assured of victory before traveling to Nigeria for the awards ceremony.
‘I was robbed, mate,” Mikel declared. “Before I went, I was told that I won it. I was at the airport flying to Nigeria, because the ceremony was in Nigeria, and guess what happened? Manchester City was playing, and Yaya scored a hat-trick or two goals.’
Despite his achievements, the award was eventually handed to Yaya Touré, then of Manchester City.
Mikel insisted that his record that year, winning the Nations Cup, Europa League, and having lifted the Champions League the year before – made him the rightful winner. ‘I knew I won it,’ he said. ‘I won the Nations Cup and the Europa League that year and won the Champions League a year before that.’
Mikel also recalled the atmosphere at the ceremony, claiming that many attendees left the hall before Touré was announced as the winner, a sign that they too expected him to take the prize.
