Former Ivory Coast and Manchester City midfielder, Yaya Touré, has admitted that former Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi, should have won the 2013 CAF African Player of the Year award. Touré made this revelation during a recent appearance on The Obi One Podcast, hosted by Mikel himself.
In 2013, Touré clinched the coveted individual accolade, marking his third consecutive win at the time in a run that would eventually stretch to four straight titles from 2011 to 2014. However, the decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) sparked debate, with many in the footballing community arguing that Mikel had a stronger case that year.
Mikel Obi had a standout 2013, playing a pivotal role as Nigeria lifted the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the third time in the nation’s history. The midfielder was a central figure throughout the tournament, guiding Nigeria to victory under coach Stephen Keshi. In addition to his international success, Mikel also enjoyed a solid campaign with Chelsea in the English Premier League, helping the Blues secure a third-place finish and making key contributions in midfield.
“Were you told you were going to win it before you came? Because I was told the same,” Mikel asked during the podcast.
Touré responded candidly: “You deserve it, Obi, to be honest. The season was perfect… you were instrumental.” He further clarified that he was not informed in advance about his win.
Despite Mikel’s achievements, the award went to Touré, whose performances for Manchester City helped them finish second in the Premier League and remain competitive across all competitions. While Touré’s club form was impressive, many believed Mikel’s continental triumph with Nigeria gave him the edge in what was a closely contested race.
Over the years, Mikel has voiced his disappointment over the 2013 CAF award outcome, suggesting he was unfairly snubbed. His latest conversation with Touré brings fresh attention to the long-standing debate and raises renewed questions about the criteria used by CAF in selecting the African Player of the Year.
Mikel’s AFCON success and club consistency in 2013 remain highlights of his career, and Touré’s recent comments have added a new layer of validation to the Nigerian’s claims.
