Mikel’s CAF Award Loss Disappoints NFF

Disappointed
members of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF Exco walked out of the Convention Centre of the Eko Hotel venue of the CAF Awards wearing long faces after Ivorian Yaya Toure beat John Mikel Obi to the African Player of the Year prize last week.
Hopes were high that after a year in which he won the Nations Cup with Nigeria and Europa Cup with Chelsea, Mikel would claim the award.
But a vote by coaches and national team captains favoured Toure.
NFF President Aminu Maigari tried to hide the disappointment. “It was disappointing that he did not win, but that is football. You win some, you lose some,” he told newsmen.
“At least we can take consolation from the fact that we won most of the other awards, and especially the Platinum Award that was given to our President Goodluck Jonathan.
“Mikel has done great this year and we expect him to do better next year.”