John Obi Mikel vs Victor Ikpeba
Nigeria against Nigeria. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
John Obi Mikel
Nigeria · 2012–18 · CDM
- Almanac rating
- 86
- Rank in Nigeria
- #7 of 33
- Caps
- 91 · 6 goals
- Clubs
- Chelsea, Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, Stoke City
- Honours
- Hall of Fame
On 26 June 2018, the day Nigeria played Argentina at the World Cup, he learned his father had been kidnapped, said nothing to the dressing room and played the full ninety minutes. Mikel won the Champions League and then the Europa League with Chelsea in 2012 and 2013, two Premier League titles, four FA Cups and two League Cups, the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria, and Olympic bronze in Rio as captain. Career record: 91 caps and 6 goals for Nigeria; club career at Chelsea, Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, Stoke City; honours include Hall of Fame.
Victor Ikpeba
Nigeria · 1993–2000 · SS
- Almanac rating
- 86
- Rank in Nigeria
- #9 of 33
- Caps
- 31 · 7 goals
- Clubs
- R.F.C. de Liège, AS Monaco, Borussia Dortmund
Arsène Wenger signed him for Monaco in 1993, and in the 1996-97 title season he scored 16 in the league and 22 in all competitions alongside Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet. Ikpeba was African Footballer of the Year in 1997, won Olympic gold at Atlanta 1996 and the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations, finished runner-up in 2000 after his shootout penalty came back off the bar in Lagos, and left Monaco with 77 goals in 223 games. Career record: 31 caps and 7 goals for Nigeria; club career at R.F.C. de Liège, AS Monaco, Borussia Dortmund.
The verdict
The almanac cannot separate them: both are rated 86.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.