MIKEL OBI: NOT CAF'S BEST BUT STILL AFRICA'S BEST 2013.

If this award was about Africa's best player it would no doubt have gone to none other but Yaya Toure. He isn't just the best in Africa but among the worlds top 50 players. In the premiership where he plies his trade among the world's best ,Yaya Toure has established himself as probably the best central midfielder in the land driving Man.City to new heights as he outpassed, outrun and outbattle every opponent in the middle of the park.

 He is the reason why Man.United hated rivals cannot be described as 'noisy neighbors' any more. In the past few years they have been making meaningful noises thanks to Yaya and co.

 But then this award isn't about the best player in.Africa, but the best player in Africa for the year 2013! Its about the player who has had a most productive year individually and collectively within the unit he has been part of. In this regard no other player deserves the award more than Mikel Obi. What a year he has had.

 Success in 2013 didn't have to wait long as the
Super Eagles inspired by Mikel obi in the midfield won the African Nations cup. Its the third time black most populous nation will win the nation's cup after many years of finishing third. The victory was made sweeter by the fact that tournament favourite, Cote'd ivoire were beating in the quarter final by the Obi inspired Super Eagles. It was a befitting start to a year that will prove important in Mikel's career.

 Chelsea found themselves eliminated at the group stage of the champions league, the first time a defending champion won't make it past the group stage. They dusted themselves from the dissapointment and with Obi making his contribution in the middle of the pack, Chelsea won the Europa league. A befitting end to a season that looks to have gone awry at some point. For Chelsea the season has ended, but for Obi football continues at the confederations
cup in Brazil. Though Nigeria was eliminated at the group stage, Mikel Obi well taken goal was one of the memorable moments of the best confederation cup in recent times.

 His contribution in that tournament goes beyond that goal as the world had an opportunity to see the Mikel of 2005 re-birth at the confederations. Marshalling the midfield like a general, Mikel was a delight to watch.

 This prompted lot of clubs desiring his signature during the summer window but he elected to stay at Chelsea and has since grabbed a couple of goals and in between inspired Nigeria's qualification to this year world cup supplying crucial assist in the match against Malawi. The year couldn't have been better.

 In comparison Toure Yaya might have enjoyed a brilliant individual year but from failing to win the nations cup, failing to retain the premiership, and losing an FA cup final to relegated Wigan, 2013 was a year of heartbreak for the Ivorian. The only consolation was Ivory Coast qualification for the world cup.

 And so it was when the Winner for the CAF African footballer of the year was announced and it wasn't given to Mikel many wondered what else he needs to do to win the award.

 Could it be the flawed voting system again that has more francophone countries than anglophone? No doubt many Nigerians feel cheated just like they felt many years back when Okocha lost the award to Samuel Eto'o on two consecutive occassions!

 Giving the award to a player whose only merit is playing well in the premiership over a player who won the African nations cup belittles the worth and importance of Africa's own mundial!

 Mikel might not have been consistent for his club as Yaya was(by the way, Ronaldo de lima won the world's best in 2002 strictly based on World cup performance,same with Cannavaro) for Manchester City, but if 2013 is properly reviewed there is only one man who seized the most important moments, shone like a star and grabbed the headlines: MIKEL OBI.