Mikel Obi named among top 10 African midfielders in history

Former Chelsea and Super Eagles of Nigeria midfielder Mikel Obi has been named among the top ten African midfielders in football history.

Mikel Obi’s career was subject of praise on ” Match of the Day Africa podcast “ where the retired defensive midfielder was shortlisted as one of the top 10 African players in his position.

Two of the analysts, Nigeria’s Efan Ekoku and former Stoke City defender Gabriel Zakuani heaped praise on the 2005 FIFA Silver ball winner.

“He (Mikel) was a specialist in front of the back four,” said Ekoku, a member of Nigeria’s 1994 Africa Cup of Nations winner.

“He was a great continuity player, he wasn’t a fantastic passer of the ball but he was always available and had this ability to find space. He had that intelligence.”

For Gabriel Zakuani, what Mikel Obi did for the teams he played went unnoticed but he was so important.

“He’s one of those players who, when he’s not playing, you notice a lot more,”

“Maybe some football fans don’t really see what he does, he can look invisible, but he’s so important to the team.” Zakuani said.