Mikel’s Nigeria’s best in 2013 – Mabo

Former Super Falcons head coach Ismaila Mabo has tipped John Mikel Obi to win the Goal Nigeria Player of the Year award, insisting the Super Eagles’ midfielder pipped his compatriot, Vincent Enyeama to the award from his own standpoint.

Mabo was the first Nigerian coach till date to lead the country’s senior female team to the quarter final of the World Cup after the heroics of his team at the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup hosted by the United States.
In a chat with Goal, the former international revealed that Mikel was exceptional in 2013 and so deserves to be Nigeria’s best this year.
Though it took him time to finally decide his choice as the country’s shinning light in 2013, Mabo noted that Mikel had a slight edge over Enyeama and so should be recognised as the one for the award.
Mabo also listed other Eagles stars whom he reckoned have had a fantastic year for their club and country but he said the experience of Mikel and Enyeama made them stand out as Nigeria’s best exports to Europe this year.
“Who am I going to pick now? It is a very difficult one for me but I feel Mikel should get the award ahead of Enyeama,” Mabo told Goal.
Both have been outstanding for both club and Nigeria but to me, Mikel has been more productive for the country. He has won several titles with Chelsea and also led Nigeria to the pinnacle of African football when we won the AFCON in South Africa,” he said.
Vanguard