Jonathan Pitroipa ’s MVP gong from the2013 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 anythingaway from the 26-year-old, whose heroics in the quarterfinals against Togo helped ensurethe Stallions would continue galloping toward their first ever major final. Pitroipa was one of the best players in South Africathe past threeweeks, but in no way was he the best.
That honor falls 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 establishmentplayers from the 23-man squad he tookto the Cup of Nations, including Yakubu, Peter Odemwingie , Obafemi Martins, Dickson Etuhu , Taye Taiwo and Danny Shittu . Instead, the team he selected was comprised of five domestic-based players and only two—goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and captain Joseph Yobo (who wasn’t a starting player)—with more than 50 caps to their names.
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.