Former Tremendous Eagles captain Mikel Obi has revealed that the 2013 African Participant of the 12 months award was stolen from him.

Mikel was excellent for Nigeria throughout the yr underneath assessment as he helped the Eagles win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

There has not been a Nigerian winner of the African Participant of the 12 months award since 1999, when Nwankwo Kanu beat Ghanaian defender Samuel Kuffour for the award after his scoring efficiency for Arsenal.

Since then, no Nigerian has made the rostrum, however within the final 20 years solely Austin Okocha (twice, in 2003 and 2004) and Mikel Obi (in 2013) have made the ultimate three shedding to eventual winners Samuel Eto’o and Yaya. toure respectively. .

“I received robbed, dude,” Mikel stated in a YouTube interview with Dubai Eye 103.8.

“Earlier than I went, they informed me that I gained it. I used to be on the airport flying to Nigeria, as a result of the ceremony was in Nigeria, and guess what occurred? Manchester Metropolis was taking part in and Yaya scored a hat-trick or two targets.

He additionally revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson nonetheless turns him down after he opted to not be part of Manchester United in 2005.

Ferguson thought he had gained the race for the proficient Nigerian midfielder after he signed for United from Lyn Oslo in April 2005, however the transfer was by no means finalized after Mikel claimed he was “intimidated” within the deal and wished to hitch Chelsea.

“Fergie blew me away for years,” Mikel continued.

“The primary time we performed within the FA Cup, he turned me down popping out of the tunnel. I stumbled and virtually fell. Each time we met he would blow my thoughts, however I do not remorse signing for Chelsea.

“Clearly I signed a pre-contract with Manchester United, however earlier than that I used to be taking part in for Lyn Oslo in Norway. Chelsea truly despatched me to Lyn Oslo and nobody knew about it.

“Chelsea was caring for me and my household, giving me cash right here and there they usually had been paying my faculty charges after I was in Norway.

“I had my trials at Manchester United earlier than going to Chelsea. Sir Alex Ferguson liked me and all of the gamers liked me. Roy Keane was my greatest fan. He informed Ferguson that he wanted to signal me. He was my protector in coaching.

“Any time I received tackled in coaching from the likes of Paul Scholes and Nikky Butt in coaching, Keane was able to go in with them.

“They heard that I joined Chelsea and Fergie flew to Norway and gave me a pre-contract to signal and I could not say no. And all of it went viral.”