Chelsea/Super Eagles star Mikel Obi has been named the English Premier League’s African Player of the Month of December by organizers of the New African Soccer Awards.

Mikel piped out West Ham’s Cameroonian Alex Song and Southampton striker, Senegalese Sadio Mane to win the gong.

“as always, it was a difficult choice, but a lot of factors came into consideration before we selected Mikel”. Awards director, Tunde Adelakun said .

He continued, “Mikel has endured a difficult start to the season, falling down the pecking order in a star-studded Chelsea team that is riding high in the Premier League. After all, we all know that no one likes changing a winning team. However, the spirit of professionalism which he displayed in waiting for his chance, and taking it well with some solid performances in a difficult month, tipped the award his way this month,”

Adelakun commended the level of the African performance in the English Premier League this season so far, stating that “the Africans have been a real credit to the continent, and when we watch them in the League, it is with pride’.

The statement also added that the New African Soccer Awards has been merged with the Africans Abroad Recognised (AAR) Charter, which seeks to recognise the exploits of Africans in Diaspora in all walks of life.