Two Nigerians, John Obi Mikel and Mercy Akide, have been named in the panel for the FIFA The Best Player award alongside other Africans like Asamoah Gyan and Didier Drogba, ABBEYLIVENETWORK.COM reports.
The presence of former Nigerian internationals shows prowess of Nigerian football in Africa and an intentional effort to promote African football by FIFA.
Mikel, who captained the Super Eagles, and Akide, who once played for the Super Falcons, are part of a 30-person panel responsible for shortlisting candidates for The Best Awards.
Akide, a retired Super Falcons forward, holds a prominent position as one of the 11 members in the women’s category, while Mikel is among the 11 experts who helped select the nominees for the men’s category.
In the panel is also Didier Drogba of Cote d’Ivoire. His compatriot, Clémentine Touré is on the Women’s Panel.
