Former Manchester City and Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Touré has finally spoken up after 12 years about Mikel Obi’s 2013 CAF Player of the Year award snub.
Touré, while speaking on the Obi One podcast, admitted that former Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi should have won the CAF Player of the Year award in 2013.
Touré, who won the award four consecutive times between 2011 and 2014, praised Mikel’s outstanding performances for both club and country that year.
In 2013, Mikel played a vital role in Nigeria’s AFCON triumph, helping the Super Eagles lift the trophy. He also had a successful season with Chelsea, winning the UEFA Europa League. Meanwhile, Touré won the Community Shield with Manchester City but didn’t quite match Mikel’s achievements.
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Speaking on the Obi One Podcast, Touré expressed his admiration for Mikel’s skills and accomplishments. “You deserved it, Obi, to be honest, because in the league, the season was perfect. Nigeria won the AFCON, and you were instrumental in this period,” Touré said.
Touré also highlighted the importance of unity among African players, noting that they should support each other rather than focusing on individual awards. “The big question was me attending the ceremony. If we don’t go there, who’s going to support? We’ve seen the Europeans supporting their own cause, their own events, and their own things. We Africans want to do that, but we have to make sure we unite and we go together.”
Former Manchester City midfielder Yaya Touré attempts to move past a challenge from Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel during the FA Cup Fifth Round match between Manchester City and Chelsea at Etihad Stadium on February 15, 2014 (Photo credit: Getty Images)
Mikel Obi and Yaya Touré were both dominant forces in their respective careers, with Mikel playing a key role in Chelsea’s success and Touré leading Manchester City to Premier League glory. Despite the 2013 CAF Player of the Year award going to Touré, Mikel’s achievements that year were undeniable.
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Touré is currently the assistant coach for the Saudi Arabia national team, while Mikel Obi continues to be involved in football, offering insights and commentary on the sport.
Touré spent eight years with Manchester City since arriving for £24m from Barcelona in 2010; he has played a huge part in City’s rise, initially by being one of the first signings they made of a really top player from a big club. He won three Premier League titles with the club.
