New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani picks Jay-Jay Okocha ahead of Yaya Toure, but chooses ex-Ballon d'Or winner as the best

New York’s newly elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani, showed his extensive knowledge of African football as he sorted through some of the continent’s greats to pick out a definitive best.

The Ugandan-born Indian-American politician is an avid football fan, and he loudly supports Arsenal in the Premier League. He was recently elected the mayor of the world’s premier financial hub, New York, but Zohran’s politics are local and community-focused.

Hence, during the AFCON final between Senegal and Morocco, he merged two of his interests:  football and community building, by organising a live watch-along for New York’s African diaspora. During the event, he was quizzed on African football legends, where he expressed his admiration for some of the continent’s greats.

Sizing up the interests and preferences of personalities through the “Winner Stays On” game has become a staple of interviews, which often find their way to social media. The 34-year-old participated in this game during the AFCON final event, themed around African football legends.

The quick-fire line of questioning started strongly, pitting Victor Osimhen against AFCON 2025 MVP, Sadio Mane. He did not hesitate to pick Mane. He also chose the Senegalese over Brahim Diaz before dumping him for the next name out of the lot, Didier Drogba.

As a millennial Arsenal fan, Mamdani witnessed first-hand the Ivorian’s sheer dominance against the North London outfit, scoring 13 goals against the Gunners in 15 matches. This would inspire Mamdani to pick Drogba over Samuel Eto’o and Michael Essien, as well.

However, Drogba’s run ended when Mo Salah was named, as the Muslim mayor picked the Egyptian, citing his influence in New York neighbourhoods, specifically the halal truck named after him in Astoria, Queens.

He also picked Mo Salah over Mahrez, but not against former Arsenal forward Nwankwo Kanu. He leaned into his Arsenal bias, selecting the lanky striker over Salah and Abedi Pele. However, Kanu's association with the club Mamdani supports could not save him against his compatriot J.J. Okocha.

Okocha advanced past John Mikel Obi and Yaya Toure, but not beyond George Weah, Africa’s only Ballon d’Or winner to date. While there are legitimate footballing reasons to select Weah over Okocha, Mamdani’s pick is rooted in his New York-first politics. 

The former Liberian president reigned supreme because he had his son, Timothy Weah, in Brooklyn, New York, making him a New Yorker. Also, Timothy represents the USMNT and has already amassed 47 caps.