John Mikel Obi is the most decorated player in Nigerian history and the former Chelsea midfielder has won almost all the trophies he has competed for.
Mikel Obi is gaining traction with his Obi One podcast, where he has been pouring out his mind on several football issues.
In his latest podcast, where he spoke with Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, he made comments that would likely stir the Hornet's nest. The former Super Eagles midfielder cast aspersions on the integrity of the CAF Awards.
Mikel Obi was commenting on the latest Osimhen issues when he dropped the bombshell.
He alluded to the awards being pre-determined, which is a serious allegation.
@YayaToure I feel disappointed at your comments following your loss at the CAF awards. Remember the 2013 CAF awards?Didn't hear you complain
— Dr. Andrew (@andrewiroemeh) January 9, 2016
Mikel Obi claims he was robbed of award in 2013
Between 2012 and 2013, Mikel Obi had the greatest seasons of his football career with both club and country. He posted award-worthy performances.
The Chelsea midfielder had looked forward to being crowned with an individual accolade on the continent following his brilliant displays, but alas, it was not to be as it went to Ivorian legend Yaya Toure.
Speaking on his Obi One podcast, the former midfielder reminisced about the incident and labelled it a robbery.
“I thought I was winning it because I had an amazing year. We were winning everything at Chelsea and I was playing most of the games and I won the African Cup of Nations,” the retired midfielder said.
#Mikel saat menghadiri penganugerahan CAF Awards.
Mikel jd RunnerUp Pemain Terbaik Afrika 2013 pic.twitter.com/kTLpAPDEE6— Gila_Chelsea (@gila_chelsea) January 10, 2014
Should Mikel Obi have won the African Player of the Year in 2013
In 2012, Mikel Obi posted brilliant performances as Chelsea won the UEFA Champions League, beating Bayern Munich in the final.
Didier Drogba may have stolen the shine in the final, but there is no denying Mikel Obi's immense contributions to their victory.
When the Super Eagles and the Elephants of Ivory Coast clashed at the 2013 AFCON, he trumped Toure and Drogba to lead his team to a 2-1 win.
“It was my trophy to win. I won the African Cup of Nations. I won the Champions League the year before and the Europa League in 2013 and Yaya won nothing,” Mikel said.
The former Super Eagles captain said on his podcast that no player had ever won a hattrick of the award, and CAF wanted to create that record.
“The crazy thing was, it was the first time a player would win a hat trick of the award. They had to give it to Yaya,” the ex-midfielder continued.
Mikel Obi said he came to the awards believing he would win the award as the top player on the continent.
“The information was, I was winning it. I was told by CAF I was winning it,” he added
Obi said he hopes Osimhen wins the award, as he had a brilliant season finishing as Serie A Capocannoniere. He also won the Scudetto and was the highest-ranked African player at the Ballon d'Or.
This article was most recently revised and updated 10 months ago
