CHELSEA have flown Super Eagles midfielder Mikel Obi to Lagos in the club's private jet to enable him
participate in the Confederation of African Football's (Caf) annual awards in which he has been shortlisted
in the player of the year category.
Due to his good form during the course of 2013 for club and country that resulted in Nigeria winning the
African Cup of Nations, Mikel is one of three players listed for the Caf African Player of the Year award.
Along with Ivorians Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba, Mikel is regarded as one of Africa's best three players
last year.
Tonight, at a glitzy ceremony in Lagos, the winner of the award will be announced and with Mikel having
to be present, Chelsea have opted to fly him out there in the club's private jet and return him to London
immediately after the ceremony. Given that Nigeria won the African Cup of Nations last year, Mikel is
highly tipped to pick up the award this year.
Mikel said: "I am coming for the Caf awards. I will be flown in and out of Nigeria by the Chelsea jet,
arriving on the awards day and returning immediately after.
"It is an honour to be selected and nominated for the award. I am looking forward to winning it for my
country."
Mikel's brothers Patrick Obi and Ebele Obi, who is a goalkeeper with Nigerian Premier League side
Heartlands, will accompany him to the event. Nigeria's Sunday Mba has also been shortlisted in the
African Footballer of the Year for players based in Africa award category.
Also in the running for an accolade is Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi who has been shortlisted for the
Coach of the Year award, as is Golden Eaglets coach Manu Garba, who won the U17 World Cup last year.
Nigeria's Super Eagles have also been shortlisted in the National Team of the Year category, while the
Golden Eaglets have been nominated for the Youth National Team of the Year.
Golden Eaglets playmaker Kelechi Iheanacho has also been listed in the Most Promising Talent category,
while the Nigerian Supporters Club is up for the Fair Play Award. A Nigerian last won the African Player of
the Year in 199 when Nwankwo Kanu picked up the award.


http://www.nigerianwatch.com/sport/3587-chelsea-fly-mikel-to-lagos-by-private-jet-for-african-player-of-the-award-ceremony