- The Best FIFA Awards 2023, The Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, UK - 15th January 2024. Mikel John Obi former Chelsea & Nigeria player at The Best FIFA Awards 2023. - The Best FIFA Awards 2023, The Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London, UK - 15th January 2024. Hammersmith The Eventim Apollo UK Copyright: xDanxWeirx CP_FIFA_Best_Awards_2023_193
Former Super Eagles and Chelsea midfielder, John Mikel Obi, has ignored Mohammed Salah, Samuel Eto’o, Riyad Mahrez, and George Weah to name his choice of the greatest-ever African footballer, Soccernet.ng reports.
Mikel, who was a part of the Nigerian team that won the AFCON 2013 title in South Africa, has been on punditry duties on the Obi One Podcast since he retired from active football.
In an elimination-type interview with GOAL, the 37-year-old was quizzed about his preferred African player while the questions were presented with two players pitched against each other.
In the first round, Mikel was to choose between Didier Drogba and Sadio Mane, Samuel Eto’o and George Weah, Mohammed Salah and Riyad Mahrez, Jay-Jay Okocha and Yaya Toure.
“For what he achieved, I’d pick Yaya,” the former Lynn midfielder said.
The former Super Eagles captain opted for Didier Drogba, George Weah, Mohammed Salah, and Yaya Toure.
The final standings pit Yaya Toure against Didier Drogba, and Mikel opted for the retired Ivorian striker.
“Oh my God, I played with him for so many years and we won everything together, so I have to go with Didier,” the 2016 Olympic bronze winner concluded.