Mikel and Akide are among the panel of experts for the FIFA Best Award.
Glamtush reports that two Nigerians -former Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel and ex-Super Falcons forward, Mercy Akide, have been named in the panel for the FIFA The Best Player award alongside other Africans like Asamoah Gyan and Didier Drogba.
The presence of former Nigerian internationals shows the prowess of Nigerian football in Africa and an intentional effort to promote African football by FIFA.
See the panel of Experts
| Women’s Panel | Men’s Panel | Fan Award |
| Mercy Akide (Nigeria) | Petr Cech (Czechia) | DaMarcus Beasley (USA) |
| Shirley Cruz (Costa Rica) | Didier Drogba (Cõte d’Ivoire) | Heather Garriock (Australia) |
| Amy Duggan (Australia) | Brett Emerton (Australia) | Maia Jackman (New Zealand) |
| Isabella Echeverri (Colombia) | Rio Ferdinand (England) | Carmelina Moscato (Canada) |
| Mia Hamm (USA) | Asamoah Gyan (Ghana) | Roque Junior (Brazil) |
| Jessica Houara (France) | Kaká (Brazil) | Roque Santa Cruz (Paraguay) |
| Mana Iwabuchi (Japan) | Mario Kempes (Argentina) | Jean Sseninde (Uganda) |
| Manon Melis (Netherlands) | Alexi Lalas (USA) | Ian Wright (England) |
| Patrizia Panico (Italy) | Jon Obi Mikel (Nigeria) | |
| Clémentine Touré (Ivory Coast) | Park Ji-Sung (Korea Republic) | |
| Kirsty Yallop (New Zealand) | Ivan Vicelich (New Zealand) |
