Former Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo has weighed in on Nigeria’s World Cup qualification hopes, stating that while the team has the quality, they must focus on grinding out results and securing vital wins to book their place at the tournament.
Yobo who played 101 matches for the national team represented the Super Eagles in three FIFA World Cups. The legendary defender made his senior international debut against Zambia in the World Cup qualifier before going on to feature during the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
He made his second World Cup appearance at the 2010 tournament in South Africa, after which he assumed the captaincy on the international retirement of Nwankwo Kanu.
In June 2014, Yobo was selected once again for Stephen Keshi’s World Cup squad. He started in Nigeria’s second and third group games, leading the team to securing a clean sheet in a 1–0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina — a result that also helped the Super Eagles qualify for the Round of 16.
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Yobo earned his 100th cap as captain in the 2–0 Round of 16 loss to France. After the match, he announced his international retirement, saying: “This is it. I can look back on my career with great pride. I wanted to leave on a high for my country. Defeat by France was not the right way to go but I’m happy with all I’ve done for the national team. It’s time to give a chance to other people to come through.”
Beyond captaining the Super Eagles, Joseph Yobo made history at Everton as the club’s first African captain. During his time at the club, he also became Everton’s record appearance holder for an overseas player, a milestone he held until early 2012.
In recognition of his contributions, Yobo has been invited to the opening of Everton’s new home, the Hill Dickinson Stadium, following the club’s departure from Goodison Park. In an exclusive interview with Bold Sports, the former Nigerian international described the occasion as deeply personal.
“Mixed feelings, I was invited and I’m invited for the opening but I couldn’t make the last one. I spent about 9 years there so it’s always a part of me. Very emotional because I know every angle even in the changing room and all but I’m also happy because they’re moving to a bigger and better stadium.”
Yobo acknowledged the club’s need for growth and the business potential that comes with a larger venue: “Football is business, Goodison Park is kind of small, it’s about 40,000 so hopefully we’re moving to a bigger space and it brings more business and more views.”
Looking ahead, Yobo believes the new stadium will help push Everton towards greater ambitions, including competing in Europe again: “I think it’s a good thing, we want Everton to get into European football again so the bigger stadium is necessary.”
The Super Eagles are currently fourth in their World Cup qualifying group with just seven points from six games and must win all four of their remaining fixtures to keep their qualification hopes alive. Despite the uphill task, Yobo remains positive Nigeria can still be at the World Cup if they find a way to grind out results.
“It’s possible, everything is possible, tough place but everything is possible. We have also been in this space before, for this team they have to know how to grind out results. I think they’re doing well, but now they have to be a group, grind out results. It doesn’t mean you have to play well but you must win because if you drop any points we’re out.”
“I believe in these set of players because I’ve been an assistant coach and I know what they can do. Sometimes these things wake us up, at least now we have a couple of games before we can really say it’s over.”
When asked about the possibility of taking up a coaching role, Yobo, who previously served as the assistant coach of the Super Eagles feels the system may not yet be ready for professionals like him.
“I’ve played, I’ve been a captain, I’ve been a leader in every club I’ve played for. I don’t really think they’re ready for me because coaching has to be enticing. When you’ve played at the highest level, come back home and you see certain things, I’m very vocal when it comes to certain things.”
He emphasised the need for the football federation to make coaching appealing to ex-players, noting his close relationships with his former coaches.
“Also, my past coaches, I was very close to all of them. Sometimes it’s not things you can say but I was close to almost all of them so they have to make coaching enticing to players. I don’t think we’re there yet. Until they start bringing senior players, just like they’ve started doing in the league, to make it look exciting for them to want to coach.”
“I was in that position as well. I’ve tried it, I love it. But will I sacrifice my businesses and things that I do for that, I’m not sure,” he added.
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