Manchester City legend admits Mikel Obi deserved the 2013 African Best Player award

Former Manchester City and Ivory Coast midfielder, Yaya Touré, has admitted that former Super Eagles captain, Mikel Obi, should have won the CAF Player of the Year award in 2013, Soccernet.ng reports.

The duo were well-respected during their playing days, as they both won the English Premier League title with their respective clubs.

Toure lifted the EPL with Manchester City in 2012 and was crowned the CAF Player of the Year between 2011 and 2014, becoming the only player to have won the award four consecutive times.

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In 2013, Mikel was a vital player for club and country, winning the AFCON 2013 trophy with the Super Eagles and then lifting the UEFA Europa League with Chelsea, while Yaya Touré won just the Community Shield. Still, the Ivorian won the CAF Player of the Year award over Mikel.

Speaking on the Obi One Podcast, the former Barcelona midfielder admitted he would have been fine with Mikel winning the award in 2013.

“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.

“The thing is, I was told nothing [by CAF] and I said Obi deserved it at the time. If it were me or him [Obi Mikel], it would have been fine, but 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,” the one-time AFCON winner said.

‘YOU DESERVED IT’@YayaToure @mikel_john_obi

The two former foes FINALLY get the opportunity to discuss the 2013 African Player of the Year award.

Yaya claimed it. But did he deserve it..,

Full episode: https://t.co/VFtEVlPFlx pic.twitter.com/CvRNsoJvIK

— The Obi One Podcast (@obionepodcast) April 24, 2025

Both players went on to have successful careers, nonetheless, despite the 2013 debacle. Yaya Touré is currently the assistant coach for the Saudi Arabia national team.