” I was told i was going to win ” – Mikel Obi recalls 2013 CAF player of the Year awards incident

Ten years after losing the 2013 CAF Player of the Year award to Yaya Toure, former Super Eagles skipper, Mikel obi has recalled incidents in the build-up to the event.

Mikel Obi [36] had a superb year at Club and national team level, winning three trophies and was clear favourite to be named the best player in Africa.

Obi was instrumental to the Blues winning the UEFA Europa League as well as Nigeria’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations win.

 On a recent episode of Obi One Podcast, the former Chelsea star said he was told he was going to win the CAF Player of the Year award at the ceremony in Nigeria but Ivorien midfielder was surprisingly given the prize.

Obi said ” In 2013, it was my trophy (CAF Award) to be won. I won the Africa Cup of Nations, I won the Champions League, the year before and the Europa League the year 2013.

“And Yaya only won… he didn’t win anything and coming into the ceremony, I thought I was winning, the information was that I was going to win it, I was told by CAF I was going to win it,” Mikel Obi said.

Obi retired from active football in 2022 after a very decorated career that saw him play in Africa, Europe and Asia.

Mikel Obi’s compatriot, Victor Osimhen is in the running for the 2023 CAF Player of the Year award.

Like Mikel Obi, Osimhen is backed as favourite to claim the prize but will have to edge competition from Morocco’s 2022 FIFA World Cup star, Achraf Hakimi .

The 2023 CAF awards will take place in Morocco in December.