Nigerians and the Football Federation are "a little bit sad" to see Chelsea's John Obi Mikel miss out on chance to win the 2013 Confederation of African Football (Caf) Footballer of the Year award.
Instead it was a third straight win for Manchester City and Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure.
"What I am doing now, I am doing very well and I am very happy about that. "It was quite tight - because there were good opponents in front of me. Obi Mikel was doing well - and Drogba as well, so I was thinking maybe I would lose it. I am lucky today, I am very proud of myself" Toure said after receiving his award.
Top Nigerian officials and Nigerians criticised the procedure used to determine the African Player of the Year after John Obi Mikel lost to Ivorian star Yaya Toure. Osaseye asked Was John Obi Mikel snubbed, rubbed or not good enough?
The winner of the award was selected by National team coaches of the 54 member countries on a scale of one to 10 points,with the highest score signifying their top pick.
Manchester City midfielder Toure collected 373 points and was voted by 28 national team coaches.
Chelsea midfielder Mikel was behind with on 275 points, with just four national team coaches.
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Aminu Maigari expressed his frustration at the snub. He said
“I am disappointed that Mikel did not get this award. We have to review the procedure that is used to determine the winner of this award,”
NFF technical committee chairman Chris Green added: “We would need some explanations as regards how the voting is done, as other awards allow for votes from the media as well as the fans,” said a disappointed Green.
Nigeria had been hoping that Mikel would win the prize given that former Arsenal forward Nwankwo Kanu last won it in 1999.
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