Keshi backs Mikel for CAF Award

Super Eagles head coach, Stephen
Keshi, has expressed optimism
that Chelsea star John Mikel Obi is
miles ahead of other contenders
for this year’s African Footballer of the Year
Award.
Keshi told Complete Sports in Abuja that
with his performance both at club and
national level, the former Lyn Oslo
midfielder is in pole position to win the 2013
edition for himself and the country.
Keshi said that Mikel has done so well that
he does not foresee anybody beating the
Chelsea midfielder to the award this time
around, adding that it would be unfair of any
coach to deny him of the honour.
"Mikel deserves to win the award after his
five-star performance at the Africa Cup of
Nations, the Europa League and the FIFA
Confederations Cup in Brazil. I don't see any
better contender for the award than Mikel
this year," Keshi told Complete Sports.
"Sentiments apart, I think Mikel should get
the nod ahead of Victor Moses and may be
Yaya Toure as the top three players that
would be contending for the award in
January next year in Lagos.”
The former Togo and Mali coach added:
"Yaya has not achieved much to displace
Mikel and Moses from the award. In the
past, Nigerian players have lost it because of
sentiment in the pattern of voting- especially
from Francophone countries. But this time
around, I guess they don't have much choice
than to vote for Mikel who I am sure would
continue do his best at his club with a view to
be a regular in the star-studded Chelsea side
this term."
Keshi however expressed regret over the
injury of 2013 AFCON top scorer Emmanuel
Emenike, saying such long injury lay-off
might have ruled the new Fenerbahce striker
out of contention for the CAF award.
The former captain of the Super Eagles also
tipped Sunday Mba to emerge as the Home-
based CAF Footballer of The Year because of
his sterling performances at 2013 AFCON
and the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.