The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Joseph Yobo.

  • Yobo to Gernot Rohr: Use Seychelles tie to test new legs

     

    Former international Joseph Yobo has urged Super Eagles coach to use the forthcoming AFCON qualifier against Seychelles on Friday in Asaba, to test fresh legs in the national team.

    Yobo who expressed delight that the Eagles qualified for Egypt 2019 with a game to spare, opined that there is nothing at stake in the last match against Seychelles adding that it is the best opportunity younger players can have to show what they can do.

    The former Everton defender made the submission while contributing to Monday Night football. Asked to put himself in the shoes of the coach ahead of Tuesday’s encounter, the former Fenerbahçe strong man said

    “If I were to be in his position or advise him I would say “Use the match to test fresh legs.  We have qualified with a game to spare and I must congratulate the team for achieving that feat. So give younger players an opportunity to express themselves because after now there will be no more time,” he said

    Yobo who made career 387 appearances for six clubs in the course of his soccer career also made 101 appearances for the national team between 2001 and 2014. Yobo who flagged his soccer career with Belgian side Standard Liège played for Marseille, Tenerife, Everton, Fenerbahçe and Norwich City respectively.

    Already qualified Nigeria, lead group E of the AFCON 2019 qualifiers with 10 points in 5 matches. The pressure in the group this weekend will be on Bafana Bafana of South Africa who are second in the group with nine points and face Libya who are on seven points in the last group match.

    Should the South Africans fail to take their chances on Sunday, at the Stade Taïeb Mhiri in Tunis, The Mediterranean Knights may turn the table and clinch the second group ticket.

  • Christmas: Celebs’ daring photo shoots

    It’s that wonderful time of the year when the bright red and white colours of Christmas take over everywhere.

    Photo shoots are quite popular in Nigeria and not just on birthdays.

    So it’s not a surprise that Nigerian celebrities mark Christmas with dazzling pictorials that added much to the colours of Christmas.

    On Christmas Day,celebrities flooded the social media with loads of photos showing them in different dresses and postures.

    Some of our celebrities launched their pictorials shortly before Christmas;9/ others  waited till the very last minute to do their photo shoots!

    Just like we their fans, celebrities are not immune to the festival spirit and have taken to social media to show off some lovely photos in line with the festivity.

    From family Christmas photos to solo ones, celebrities share on social media some lovely and funny photos.

    Our best picks range from Dakore Akande and family to Odion Ighalo’s wife’s super sexy photo; to Joseph Yobos’ matching oneness; Denrele Crazy’s naughty xmas photos and sexy mama Toyin Lawani hotter-than-fire ensemble!

    Take a look through these photos and see what the celebrities rocked for their Christmas photo shoots and cards and try not to get jealous! From The Nation’s class and style crew to yours, Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

  • Joseph Yobo urges Nigerians to get PVC

    Former Nigerian professional footballer, Joseph Yobo has enjoined civil society groups, party forerunners to intensify efforts in mobilising Nigerians to collect their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) before the closing date of August 31.
    He made the appeal at a recent one-day rally organised by Grassroots Mobilization Initiative (GMI) at Saint George Primary School, Ikoyi Lagos State.
    The former Everton defender said that the acquisition of the PVCs was crucial in keying into the country’s electoral process with a view to electing credible leaders during the 2019 elections.
    “We are here to sensitise the public on the importance of getting their Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC), because that is the only power they have to elect trust worthy and credible leaders in power. Your vote is your constitutional right, so don’t deny yourself,” he said.
    The National Executive Director, Planning and Organising Mr Ayo Faseke said the program was organised to sensitize Nigerians on the power of their PVCs and encourage them to go and register despite the complaints that more INEC personnel should be on ground for the exercise.
    He added that this is the second time the pressure group is holding such an event in the country and it intends to host two more rallies before expiration of the PVC registration.
    The event was powered by Nigeria’s most capped player and former captain, Joseph Yobo who is a promoter and brand ambassador for the group.
    He advised that voters should not to sell their votes and only vote for candidates of their choices.

  • Joseph Yobo dedicates baby

    Joseph Yobo dedicates baby

    The football career of former Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo, may be on the downward slope, but his exploits on the home front are by no means on the decline. The likeable Ogoni man has been banging in the goals since his whirlwind marriage with ex-beauty queen, Adaeze, some years ago. The celebrity couple are waxing strong in the childbearing department.

    Just a few days ago, they did the dedication of their third child. The colourful ceremony at the Lekki branch of Christ Embassy was well attended by friends and acquaintances of the couple. Former beauty queens Anita Queen Iseghohi, Anna Banner and Adaeze’s mother, Abigail Igwe, as well as fashion and showbiz big girls Dabota Lawson and Caroline Danjuma were on hand with others to celebrate with the couple.

    The short baby dedication service out of the way, everyone moved to the nearby Yobo family home for the ‘reception’ that lasted into the evening. Adaeze was previously delivered of two sons, Joey and Jayden.

  • Yobo signs for Kano Pillars

    Yobo signs for Kano Pillars

    Former Super Eagles skipper, Joseph Yobo, has signed for Kano Pillars as the League Management Company (LMC) Ambassador and could make his debut against Sunshine Stars next week.

    Four-time champions Pillars, Ifeanyi Ubah, Akwa United and Wikki were all in the race to sign the defender, who won 101 caps for Nigeria, africanFootball.com reports.

    Yobo featured for several clubs in Europe notably Standard Liege in Belgium, Everton and Norwich in the English Premier League, Turkish giants Fenerbache, and French side Olympique Marseille .

  • Joseph Yobo ends career in style

    Until former captain of the Super Eagles, Joseph Yobo, appeared on the scene, not a few had thought that the shoes Nigerian football legends like Nwankwo Kanu and Austin Jay Jay Okocha left behind were too big to fill. The reality, however, is that after a record 101 caps for the senior national football team, Yobo is easily one of the greatest footballers Nigeria has ever had.

    It came as no surprise, therefore, that renowned soccer stars like Samuel Etoo, Kanu Nwankwo, Stephen Appiah, Austin Jay Jay Okocha and others gathered in the city of Port Harcourt penultimate Friday to honour Yobo with a testimonial match. Yobo and his wife, Adaeze, were thereafter conferred with chieftaincy titles as the Mene Aborlo 1 and Waamene Aborlo 1 of Ogoniland in Rivers State. The titles were conferred on them by the paramount ruler of Ogoniland, His Royal Highness GNK Gininwa. The soccer star took to his twitter account to share his joy at being conferred with the title.

    Yobo made his Super Eagles debut against Zambia in a 2002 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Chingola, Zambia. He quit international football at the age of 33 after getting his 100th in the match against France at the World Cup in Brazil.

  • Joseph Yobo’s testimonial:Eto’o tries to get Jay-Jay Okocha subbed for being too good

    Joseph Yobo’s testimonial:Eto’o tries to get Jay-Jay Okocha subbed for being too good

    Remember Jay-Jay Okocha ? The Nigerian set the Premier League alight during his spell with Bolton between 2002 – 2006. A cheeky personality matched his cheeky style of play; week in week out he would dazzle fans.

    Ridiculous control, incredible footwork, and a grace that we’ve only ever seen in the likes of Ronaldinho. A tricky customer indeed. But it appears at the royal old age of 42, Okocha hasn’t lost a single ounce of talent.

    He showed as much in Joseph Yobo’s testimonial. In fact, the Team Nigeria player was SO good that opposing striker Samuel Eto’o attempted to get him substituted.

    Eto’o, who was playing for Team World, clearly couldn’t face another second of Okocha’s class and escorted him to Team Nigeria’s manager demanding a sub. “Nope. Too good. Off you go…”

    Luckily, both Okocha and the crowd found the funny side. Just shows, if you’ve got it, you never lose it.

  • I’m satisfied with my career – Yobo

    I’m satisfied with my career – Yobo

    Former Nigeria defender, Joseph Yobo, has expressed happiness with everything he achieved as a footballer.

    The 2013 African Nations Cup (AFCON) winner was given a grand exit from professional football by a stellar collection of football stars during his testimonial in Port Harcourt on Friday.

    Samuel Eto’o, Sulley Muntari, Stephen Appiah, Lomana Lualua and Laryea Kingston were joined by former Nigeria players such as Nwankwo Kanu, Austin Okocha, Mutiu Adepoju, Austin Eguavoen and Ben Iroha to celebrate the ex-Everton defender.

    Fielding questions from journalists, Yobo expressed his delight at the success of the event, claiming injuries hindered him from making a curtain call last year.

    “It feels great. It is a big blessing to be in this position and I’m thankful to God,” Goal quoted the ex-Super Eagles captain as saying to journalists.

    “It is very emotional but I’m very happy.  My family members are here to see me one more time and that makes me feel good.

    “Injury had denied me from announcing my final retirement and this is the first time that I’m returning to the play after a year. I’m grateful to David Moyes, Samuel Eto’o and everyone that came to support – they made my day.”

    When asked if he had any regret as a footballer, Yobo who made his senior international debut against Zambia in a 2002 AFCON qualifier, said he is satisfied with everything he has achieved, while expressing uncertainty on what the future holds after football.

    “I’m very satisfied with my career,” he continued. “It takes only the grace of God to achieve what Joseph Yobo has done; three Africa Nations Cup and three World Cup appearances says it all.

    “I don’t know how I made 101 caps for Nigeria, I’m thankful to God.

    “Going forward, everything is possible and I’m taking it one step at a time,” he concluded.

  • Joseph Yobo celebrates wife at 25

    Joseph Yobo celebrates wife at 25

    Ex-Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo, has proved that he is not skilful only as a footballer but also as a husband. A few days ago, he celebrated his wife, Adaeze’s 25th birthday anniversary with pomp and ceremony.

    Adaeze, a mother of one, glowed with joy and could not contain her glee as she took to the social media to share with the world the classy dinner the former Everton player treated her to on April 12.

    The former Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria got married to the football star in 2010. Their union is blessed with a five-year-old boy.

  • Arsenal have not contacted me-Yobo

    Arsenal have not contacted me-Yobo

    Former Nigeria international Joseph Yobo has insisted that Arsenal have not made any contact with him over a contract.

    It was previously reported that the Gunners were interested in the signature of the experienced defender to provide cover for Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny.

    The ex-Everton and Norwich stopper has put those rumours to bed, but admitted that manager Arsene Wenger attempted to lure him to the Emirates in the past.

    “I read Arsenal were interested in me, it was news to me. There is no formal contact with anybody. I know Arsene Wenger admires me a lot and wanted me to replace Sol Campbell some years ago, but Everton blocked the move.

    “He wanted me to partner Kolo Toure in defense; I was younger then. If negotiations are taking place, I am not aware, maybe the club is speaking with my agent” said Joseph Yobo to allnigeriasoccer.com.

    Despite severing ties with Fenerbahce hours before the close of the summer transfer window, the ex Super Eagles skipper is understood to be shuttling between Istanbul and the United Kingdom, as his wife is schooling in one of the universities in Turkey.

    Regarded as a model professional on the pitch, Joseph Yobo has never been red carded in the last 11 years,and scored 15 goals for club and country during the period under review.