Yaya Beats Mikel To Win 2013 African Player Of The Year As Nigeria Sweeps CAF Awards

Ivorian Midfielder, Yaya Toure, has
beaten Nigerian Super Eagles and
Chelsea FC midfielder, John Mikel Obi to
win for the 3rd consecutive year, the
coveted 'African Footballer of the Year'
Award, at the Glo CAF Awards 2013 held
in Lagos.
Mikel Obi was highly favoured by many
Nigerians who saw his exploits and team
successes with club and country in 2013 as
the best credentials to claim the award which
has eluded Nigerian footballers since Kanu
Nwankwo won it in the year 1999.
While Nigeria confirmed its status as the
number 1 footballing country on the African
continent during the year 2013 by winning in
five categories, the loss of the ultimate crown
would cast a gloom on the other successes.
The Nigerian Super Eagles won the award for
the 'National Team of the Year', while the
national Under-17 team, Golden Eaglets, also
won 'Youth National Team of the Year' at the
Glo CAF Awards 2013.
Both teams had been expected by many
pundits to claim the awards, having won
major tournaments at continental and global
levels during the year in review.
The Super Eagles won the African Cup of
Nations (AFCON) 2013 for the first time in 19
years, while the Golden Eaglets won the 2013
FIFA Under-17 World Cup tournament in
United Arab Emirates.
Golden Eaglets' wonder kid, Kelechi
Iheanacho, unsurprisingly won the 'Most
Promising Talent' Award. Ihenacho was the
most decorated at the 2013 FIFA Under-17
World Cup, winning the tournament's Adidas
Golden Ball Award for the overall best player,
alongside the Silver Boot Award for being the
second highest goal scorer, as he helped
Nigeria to its 4th title to become the most
successful team in the history of the age
grade competition.
The Nigerian Super Eagles Coach, Stephen
Keshi, was also named 'African Coach of the
Year' for his exploits with the African
Champions. Keshi became the first Nigerian to
win the Nations' Cup as player and coach, and
only the second African coach to do so after
Egypt's Mahmoud El-Gohary.
Fair Play Award went to the Nigerian
Supporters Club, globally popular for their
constant playing of music and dancing while
supporting the Nigerian national teams.
Other winners at the awards were Egyptian,
Mohammed Aboutreika, who beat Nigeria's
African Nations' Cup final hero, Sunday Mba,
to win the 'African Player of the Year based in
Africa', while the 'Club of the Year' went to Al
Ahly FC of Egypt.
The 'Referee of the Year' award went to
Algerian, Haimoudi Djamel, who officiated the
2013 Africa Cup of Nations Final between
Nigeria and Burkina Faso, and also officiated
the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup play-off for
third place between Uruguay and Italy.
The African Team of the Year is made up of
Vincent Enyeama (NIG), Ahmed Fathy (EGY),
Mehdi (MOR), Kevin Constant (GUI), Mikel Obi
(NIG), Mohammed Aboutreika (EGY), Yaya
Toure (CIV), Jonathan Pitroipa (BFA) , Pierre-
Emerick Aubameyang (GAB), Emmanuel
Emenike (NIG), Asamoah Gyan (GHA) Coach
Stephen Keshi (NIG)
Five Nigerian players from the successful
AFCON 2013 Eagles were nominated for the
now lost 'African Player of the Year' Award;
they include Emmanuel Emenike, Ahmed
Musa, Mikel Obi, Sunday Mba and Vincent
Enyeama.
Only Mikel Obi made the final 3 man nominees
list alongside the 3rd time winner, Ivorian,
Yaya Toure and his Ivorian counterpart, Didier
Drogba.
Winners were announced in Lagos on January
9, 2014.
Sent From David Aniemeka