Mikel Obi grateful for support After CAF Award
John Obi Mikel's management team has responded well to the outcome of last week's CAF Africa Player of the Year awards, despite the negative commentary from football authorities and experts in Nigeria.
John Obi Mikel's management team has responded well to the outcome of last week's CAF Africa Player of the Year awards, despite the negative commentary from football authorities and experts in Nigeria.
Olatunji John Shittu, who is Mikel's agent, said the Nigerian footballer would win the award one day, adding that 2014 simply wasn't his year.
"It is just like in every football match someone has to win, and [Yaya] Toure won this time," Shittu told This Day Live.
"Mikel still has more glorious years ahead of him, the Brazil 2014 World Cup is around the corner and many championships are ahead of him; he will surely be crowned Africa's best soon," added Shittu.
In a statement issued by Mikel's team this week, the Nigerian giant accepts defeat graciously and even thanks all his fans for all the support they have offered in the build-up to and after the awards.
"I am overwhelmed by the support of Nigerians at home and abroad, and others who voted for me and supported me in my quest to be crowned the African Player of the Year," read the statement.
"It's a great joy that what I do week in, week out for my great club, Chelsea and my beloved country Nigeria, is appreciated by millions of people worldwide."
Despite that, there are still some who continue to question the decision to give the award to Yaya Toure. Among them is Alhaji Shuaib Gara Gombe, who is a sports governor in Nigeria.
"What did Yaya win with club and country to deserve the award? Nothing, but Mikel on the other hand was superb for Nigeria and Chelsea. He was part of Nigeria's success story as well as that of Chelsea. So I don't see why Yaya should win the award. I see it as conspiracy against Nigeria on the part of those that did the voting," said Gara.
Olatunji John Shittu, who is Mikel's agent, said the Nigerian footballer would win the award one day, adding that 2014 simply wasn't his year.
"It is just like in every football match someone has to win, and [Yaya] Toure won this time," Shittu told This Day Live.
"Mikel still has more glorious years ahead of him, the Brazil 2014 World Cup is around the corner and many championships are ahead of him; he will surely be crowned Africa's best soon," added Shittu.
In a statement issued by Mikel's team this week, the Nigerian giant accepts defeat graciously and even thanks all his fans for all the support they have offered in the build-up to and after the awards.
"I am overwhelmed by the support of Nigerians at home and abroad, and others who voted for me and supported me in my quest to be crowned the African Player of the Year," read the statement.
"It's a great joy that what I do week in, week out for my great club, Chelsea and my beloved country Nigeria, is appreciated by millions of people worldwide."
Despite that, there are still some who continue to question the decision to give the award to Yaya Toure. Among them is Alhaji Shuaib Gara Gombe, who is a sports governor in Nigeria.
"What did Yaya win with club and country to deserve the award? Nothing, but Mikel on the other hand was superb for Nigeria and Chelsea. He was part of Nigeria's success story as well as that of Chelsea. So I don't see why Yaya should win the award. I see it as conspiracy against Nigeria on the part of those that did the voting," said Gara.
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