Football enthusiasts on Wednesday in Abuja expressed optimism that Mikel Obi might clinch the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Footballer of theYear award.
Nigeria’s Mikel will go head-to-head against Cote d’Ivoire’s pair of Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba for the CAF award.
The winner is scheduled to be announced at a gala in Lagos on Jan. 9.
The trio emerged finalists for the award after CAF pruned the list of 10 players on Dec. 30.
Those dropped include Nigerian trio of Vincent Enyeama, Emmanuel Emenike and Ahmed Musa, Egyptia’s Mohamed Aboutreika, Burkinabe midfielder Jonathan Pitroipa, Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan and Gabon’s Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang.
First-time nominee Mikel will attempt to unseat reigning player of the year, Toure and former winner Drogba.
Both Ivoirians have won the award twice.
A cross section of football enthusiasts, who spoke to NAN in separate interviews, noted that Mikel remained an outstanding player and deserved to win the award.
Dr Mohammed Sanusi, Nigeria Football Association (NFA) Director of Competitions, said: “Mikel should expect to get a favourable look in by the coaches of the 53 national associations that make up the voting pool.
“You will recall that the Chelsea midfielder led Nigeria to the Africa Cup of Nations title in February 2013.
“He also helped the Super Eagles to defeat the Ivoirians in a quarter-final encounter along the way. I believe these will really count for him.’’
Mrs Dilichukwu Onyedinma, Chairperson of Nigerian Women’s Football League, noted that Mikel made immense contributions to both the national team and his club.
“Having also won the Goal Nigeria Player of the Year Award for the second time in 2013 among many other accolades, Mikel certainly looks good enough for the African title this time.
“I don’t see either Yaya Toure or Drogba stopping him,’’ she said.
Musa Talle, the Chairman, FCT Football Association said: “with the key performances that showed him as the fulcrum of the Nigerian side that broke a 19-year barren run, Mikel has placed himself in a vantage position.
“After all, he is the only one among the trio that has ever won an AFCON title.
“While the Ivoirians have recorded success in their club sides, they have not been able to bring their talent to bear on the continent.
“At every point when they were expected to make their number count, Drogba, Yaya & co. have failed, picking up two AFCON silver medals in 2006 and 2012 and finishing fourth in 2008,’’ Talle noted.
Mr Yusuf Fresh, an executive member of the NFA, said “it will be a disservice to the game if players who win championships as part of a whole group are overlooked.’’
Fresh recalled that at the Nations Cup, Mikel shone far above the Ivoirian duo as he was named man of the match three times.
He also noted that Mikel scored a goal at the Confederations Cup and also helped the country to qualify for the 2014 World Cup.
“This is the first time in more than a decade that a reigning AFCON winner will play at the Mundial,’’ he said.
Mr Moroof Oluwa, Secretary General of the Nigeria Referee Association, said, “ Mikel is good enough for the African footballer of the Year award.’’
He added that seven years after winning his last Young Player of the Year award, the Chelsea midfielder deserved to win the 2013 CAF African Player of the Year award,’’ Oluwa said.
