Mikel Obi snubs Salah, Okocha and others to name greatest African footballer

Former Super Eagles and Chelsea midfielder, John Mikel Obi, has ignored Mohammed Salah, Samuel Eto’o, Riyad Mahrez, and George Weah to name his choice of the greatest-ever African footballer, Soccernet.ng reports.

Mikel, who was a part of the Nigerian team that won the AFCON 2013 title in South Africa, has been on punditry duties on the Obi One Podcast since he retired from active football.

In an elimination-type interview with GOAL, the 37-year-old was quizzed about his preferred African player while the questions were presented with two players pitched against each other.

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In the first round, Mikel was to choose between Didier Drogba and Sadio Mane, Samuel Eto’o and George Weah, Mohammed Salah and Riyad Mahrez, Jay-Jay Okocha and Yaya Toure.

“For what he achieved, I’d pick Yaya,” the former Lynn midfielder said.

African legends knockout with Mikel John Obi pic.twitter.com/jLnEs9qBsr

— GOAL (@goal) February 6, 2025

The former Super Eagles captain opted for Didier Drogba, George Weah, Mohammed Salah, and Yaya Toure.

Between Didier Drogba and George Weah, Mikel opted for his former teammate, while he chose Yaya Toure over Mohammed Salah.

The final standings pit Yaya Toure against Didier Drogba, and Mikel opted for the retired Ivorian striker.

“Oh my God, I played with him for so many years and we won everything together, so I have to go with Didier,” the 2016 Olympic bronze winner concluded.

Drogba and Mikel Obi played 189 games together, winning the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, the English FA Cup four times, and the English Premier League twice.