Yaya Toure is African footballer of the year

Hopes of having Super Eagles and Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel, named BBC African Footballer of the Year Award for 2013 was dashed  as Manchester City midfielder, Yaya Toure, was picked ahead of the Nigerian.

Mikel who made the final shortlist of three after compatriot Victor Moses was dropped going into the last round will now hope for better luck next time as he attempts to be the second Nigerian after Jay Jay Okocha to win the prestigious award.

Seen by many as a worthy winner , Yaya Toure is widely recognised as one of the finest midfielders of his generation and an absolute powerhouse - a general on the pitch who commands respect from every quarter.

A two-time winner of the Confederation of African Football's player of the year award, the Ivorian is also the only African on the 23-man shortlist for this year's FIFA world player of the year.

Having lost to Toure in the BBC award, Mikel will hope he has the last laugh when the winner of the CAF African football player of the year award is announced in January in Lagos.

Mikel played a prominent role in Nigeria's triumph at the African Nations Cup in January.