Don’t Give Up, You Can Still Rule Africa- Ikpeba Urges Mikel.

Former Super Eagles striker and 1997 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Player of the Year, Victor Ikpeba, has encouraged John Obi Mikel to use the disappointment of failing to lift the 2013 Africa’s best player crown as a stepping stone to future successes.

The Super Eagles and Chelsea playmaker lost the 2013 crown to Ivory Coast international Yaya Toure in an award gala held at the Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Thursday December 9.

The Ex-Monaco of France players said: “He (Mikel) should not give up, he should continue to up his game and I believe he will win it soon.

John Obi Mikel Emerged Runner-Up to Yaya Toure at the 2013 Caf Award Gala.
John Obi Mikel Emerged Runner-Up to Yaya Toure at the 2013 Caf Award Gala.

“We Nigerians were disappointed because we have not won it in a while and the expectation was for Mikel to win it.

“It was a close call, and I think Mikel’s start in the EPL affected him. He did not have a great start, and Yaya was on fire.

“Mikel had a great Nations Cup and Confederations Cup and he was ahead of Yaya there, but I think Yaya’s nomination as the only African for the Ballon d’Or also played a part.

“But I want to say congratulations to Mikel. He had been on top of his game these last two years and if he continues like this, he will certainly win it soon.”