Yaya Toure Name 2013 Glo CAF Award Winner

For the vast majority of the Awards Ceremony the Lagos audience delighted in the enormous recognition their nation, Nigeria, was receiving. Stephen Keshi was named as Africa's coach of the year following his excellent tactical work and his magnificent achievements over 2013. Kelechi Ineanacho, the precocious youngster, beat Ebenezer Assifuah to claim the continent's Breakout Star award, while the nation's fans received the 'Fair Play Award' for their pertinent, endless contributions throughout the year.

Stephen Keshi: Africa's Number One
Sunday Mba may have missed out on the Domestic-based Player of the Year award, but three Super Eagles (Vincent Enyeama, John Obi Mikel & Emmanuel Emenike) made the 2013 CAF Dream Team.

As the evening wore on and as the honours piled up, those in assembly began to anticipate the crowning glory. The night was set up to be Nigeria's, but no one could quite breathe easily, no one could quite relax, until our king, Mikel, was sitting firmly on the throne, flanked by his Ivorian pretenders.

Unfortunately, it wasn't quite to be, and the mood of the evening changed with CAF's final, decisive decision.

The protestations of Nigerians, particularly on Twitter, after Yaya Toure's name was revealed as African Footballer of the Year centred on the fact that while Mikel had won both the Europa League and the Cup of Nations in 2013, Toure had won nothing. Based on achievement, based on honours, Mikel should have been CAF's champion.

Indeed, when the two men met at the AFCON, in that unforgettable quarter-final between the Super Eagles and the Golden Generation, it was Mikel who truly rose to the occasion. Toure performed, along with his compatriots, beneath a haze of indifference, unable to get a grip on their myriad of abilities and seemingly unwilling to take the risks needed to unsettle Stephen Keshi's men.

Mikel, on the other hand, was a majestic influence.  He continued his form of the tournament and dictated play for the Super Eagles, inspiring those around him and driving his team forward. He was the creative heartbeat of the side and was a key man as Stephen Keshi's youthful Super Eagles claimed the continental title.