Why Mikel should have been named AFCON MVP

[Folami David]

Jonathan Pitroipa's MVP award from the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations will be little consolation for the Rennes winger, whose Burkina Faso side was defeated 1-0 by Nigeria in Sunday's final. But even it should have found itself in the grasp of a Super Eagle, and there were two or three who would have been more worthy recipients than Pitroipa.
.
This is not to take anything away from the 26-year-old, whose heroics in the quaterfinals against Togo helped ensure the Stallions would continue galloping toward their first ever major final, Pitroipa was one of the best players in South Africa the past weeks, but in no way was he the best.
.
That honor fails to Nigeria's John Obi Mikel, and he should have been given the official recognition to confirm what everyone already knows. He should have been crowned Player of the Tournament.
.
Mikel's importance to Nigeria became evident as soon as manager Stephen Keshi named his roster for the competition. Keshi bravely omitted several establishment players from the 23-man squad he took to the Cup of Nations, including Yakubu, Peter Odemwingie, Obafemi Martins, Dickson Etuhu, Taye Taiwo and Danny Shittu.
.
Mikel, at 25, was immediately the elder statesman of the midfield, and he vindicated Keshi's daring by playing some of the best football of his life.
.
That the centre of the park was shut to Burkina Faso's passing was largely down to him, and Nigeria won the tournament's showcase match because of it.

[Shola Sholaz]

Caf made a big blunder with this one.
Mikel or Moses should have won it.
It wasn't fair