The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Joseph Yobo.

  • Bosnia clash will be better

    Bosnia clash will be better

    Nigeria skipper Joseph Yobo has said he expects a lot more open game when they face debutants Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday in their second group game at the World Cup.

    African champions Nigeria were pegged back by a resolute Iran on Monday night, while Bosnia lost 2-1 to Argentina in the opening Group F clash.

    “It will be an open game against Bosnia, who like us, are be looking for their first win of the competition,” said Yobo, who came on as a replacement for the injured Godfrey Oboabona as his 98th appearance for the Eagles.

    “I thought we played well against Iran, but we found it difficult to penetrate them. They always had 10 men behind the ball.Teams are defending well in this tournament.

    “We now have to be more creative and believe in ourselves, if we don’t, we only have ourselves to blame.”

    Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, who pulled off a world-class save to deny Iran in the first half, said the team cannot wait for the next game against Bosnia. “We are looking forward to the next game. We just have to stay together and know where we got it wrong,” said the Lille shot stopper.

    Newcastle striker,  Shola Ameobi added Nigeria will be going for a win at the weekend.

    “We have to have the mindset to win our next game,” said Shola Ameobi, a second-half substitute against Iran.

  • World Cup: Eagles happy with NFF bonus plan

    World Cup: Eagles happy with NFF bonus plan

    Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo, has said the team is satisfied with the Nigeria Football Federation’s proposal for sharing of FIFA World Cup bonus, supersport.com reports.

    Yobo and Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel had earlier met with the top NFF members to demand an appearance fee for the World Cup.

    This is outside the $10,000 match bonus proposed by the NFF.

    Yobo said the meeting to demand an appearance fee for the players was “peaceful and normal as players need to demand for their rights.”

    “That’s very true. I haven’t been around for a while. When I came, I heard about several issues that were going on.

    “I have to make sure my players are happy. I am the captain of the national team and if the players are not happy, there is no way I can be happy,” he said.

    The Nigeria captain said the meeting was important to ensure that the Super Eagles put up a creditable outing at the World Cup finals.

    Yobo, however, expressed unhappiness that the development was reported by the media.

    “This was a very peaceful and quiet meeting. I am very disappointed that it came out in the media because it was very peaceful and everybody was very happy about it,” he said.

    “You can’t stop the players from asking for their rights. This is normal. We play for our country and there are certain things that the players are entitled to.

    “As the captain of this team, I am privileged, proud and honoured to represent my country.

    “The players are all happy and they know the task ahead. Like I said, there was a meeting and the meeting will still continue.

    “There’s no problem. We just need to agree on what we want to do. We are ready to play for Nigeria and we don’t represent our country because of money,” he said.

     

  • Yobo, Osaze will shine for Eagles-Ka’Oje

    Yobo, Osaze will shine for Eagles-Ka’Oje

    • Says Stoke forward will score against Scotland

    Former Sports Minister, Bala Bawa Ka’Oje has tipped Super Eagles returnees,  and Osaze Peter Odemwingie, to be the jokers in the pack in the Nigerian team and predicted that the striker will score against Scotland in a friendly match slated for Craven Cottage in London tomorrow.

    “I will predict something that is likely to happen on Wednesday in Eagles friendly against Scotland, the Captain of the team Joseph Yobo will play the match of their lives against Scotland as well as the other two friendly matches against Greece and USA.

    “These guys didn’t expect their return to the team and now that they have found their way in there they will definitely put everything they have into the games the Coach will feature them in so as to prove their worth to be in the final squad for the World Cup.

    “You can quote me; Osaze will score against Scotland and Yobo will be the best defender on parade in the match in London if Keshi includes them in the team that will play against Scotland on Wednesday. The two players are very experienced and have been in the World Cup before so they know what it takes to play at that stage and their inclusion in the final team will do a lot of good to the younger but hungry players who are also eager to impress at the world stage.

    “Yobo as the Skipper and the leader of the team will be able to guide the other players well while Osaze will also had bite and experience to the forward line of the Super Eagles. I also see Osaze scoring couple of goals in the three friendly matches if he is included in the team,” Ka’Oje told SportingLife in Abuja.

    The former Minister also hailed the Nigeria Football Federation for organising the friendly matches which he said will help Keshi a great deal to put his team to the required level for the World Cup.

    “In as much as I am confident of a 2-0 victory against Scotland, the essence of the friendly matches is not to win all of them but to put the players in good shape for the World Cup. But I see the Eagles coming top in all the friendly matches. Victories in these matches will be a morale booster for the World Cup,” the ex-Sport Minister added.

     

  • YOBO WINS WITH CANARIES

    YOBO WINS WITH CANARIES

    NIGERIA’S Joseph Yobo was in the heart of Norwich City defence all 90 minutes in Saturday’s Barclays Premier league 2-0 win over Sunderland at Carrow Road.

    A performance that saw the Canaries’ moved seven points clear of the relegation zone.

    Jonny Howson had a chance early on for the hosts when he picked up a loose ball just outside the box and fired in a low effort, but his shot was comfortably saved by the keeper.

    In the 20th minute Norwich took the lead through Robert Snodgrass, who arrived in the box to meet Johan Elmander’s pullback, before placing a low strike into the bottom corner.

    Alexander Tettey scored a second for the home side in the 32nd minute, as he latched onto John O’Shea’s headed clearance, before firing a long-range volley into the far corner past Vito Mannone.

    Norwich almost added a third goal at the start of the second half when Ricky van Wolfswinkel met Wes Hoolahan’s cross but saw his downwards header tipped over by the keeper.

    Sunderland looked for a way back into the match and Wes Brown saw his close-range header saved by John Ruddy.

    Hoolahan came close to extending his side’s lead, but his low strike was kept out by the keeper.

    The visitors finished the game with 10 men after Marcos Alonso was sent off in stoppage time for a picking up a second yellow card, as Yobo and pals held on to claim the three points.

  • YOBO, OSAZE END IN DRAW

    YOBO, OSAZE END IN DRAW

    RETURNING Nigerian duo of Joseph Yobo and Osaze Odemwingie ended yesterday’s clash at Carrow Road in a 1-1 draw after Jonathan Walters scored a penalty before being sent off for Potters’.

    Osaze’s Stoke looked lively in the early stages, with both Peter Crouch and Walters forcing John Ruddy to make saves to keep the scores level.

    Norwich improved as the first half progressed and the dangerous Wes Hoolahan managed to create an opportunity with a chipped pass to Robert Snodgrass, who was denied from 10 yards by Asmir Begovic.

    Record signing Ricky van Wolfswinkel had a great chance to break the deadlock just before the break but he failed to hit the target with a glancing header on the stroke of half time.

    A frustrated Carrow Road was left delighted in the 56th minute as Norwich took the lead when Bradley Johnson lost his marker to head home a free kick from Snodgrass.

    Yobo’s Norwich grew in confidence after opening the scoring but their progress was halted in the 73rd minute when John Guidetti won a penalty after being bundled over by Sebastien Bassong.

    Walters stepped up from 12 yards and he found the bottom corner to level the scores as the game entered its closing stages.

    Stoke were forced into a difficult position late on when Walters turned from hero to zero as he was shown a red card for a poor tackle on Alexander Tettey but the Potters managed to hold on to secure a point.

    Interestingly, While Yobo played all 90 minutes, Osaze lasted for 63 minutes before he was replaced by John Guidetti in the pustulating encounter.

     

  • Technical committee backs Yobo, Ike Uche return

    Technical committee backs Yobo, Ike Uche return

    •Says, it will bring strength, depth

    By Uchenna Ajah

    Ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, Chairman, technical committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Barrister Chris Green, has given his backing for the possible return of out of favour Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo and striker, Ikechukwu Uche to the National team.

    Green revealed that both players are Nigerians and are eligible to play for the Super Eagles even as he noted that Keshi has always affirmed that Yobo remains the Captain of the team.

    “Really, I don’t have any qualms about that because those two players are Nigerian players, Keshi insists Yobo is the captain and once you’re a captain you are a member of the squad, in fact he is the head of the team.”

    The former Rivers state FA chairman further admitted that it will bring strength and depth to the team and there will be competition for shirts in the Super Eagles team.

    “It will be good to also invite Ike Uche back to the team; it will bring strength, it will bring competition and all I’m craving as the Chairman of the technical committee of the federation is to get our best legs to play at the world Cup,” Green was quoted as saying by Lagos-based Brila FM.

     

  • NORWICH VS MAN CITY:Yobo: I’m ready for City

    NORWICH VS MAN CITY:Yobo: I’m ready for City

    • Says, I want to go to the World Cup

    Out of Favour Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo is enthused by the challenge of helping Norwich City steer clear of relegation after returning to the Barclays Premier League.

    The Nigerian international, who spent much of his career at Everton, signed on loan from Fenerbahce and is keen to make an impression at Carrow Road.

    “It was easy for me (to choose Norwich) – I like challenges,” Yobo said.

    “I want to go to the World Cup. I want to perform at the highest level. Pushing myself and also understanding the situation Norwich football club are in is extra motivation for me.

    “I’m excited about it. Sometimes you get too comfortable because maybe the team is winning every game.

    “Here I have to do well for myself and I have to make sure the team gets out of trouble.”

    Yobo could make his debut today against title challengers Manchester City.

  • Maigari orders technical committee to intervene in Keshi, Yobo row

    Maigari orders technical committee to intervene in Keshi, Yobo row

    Nigeria Football Association has ordered the Chairman of NFA Technical and Development Committee, Mr Chris Green, to intervene in the ongoing war of words between the Head Coach of the Super Eagles Stephen Keshi and Captain Joseph Yobo.

    Alhaji Aminu Maigari, the President of NFA, gave the order in a statement issued on Thursday by the NFA Assistant Media Director, Ademola Olajire, in Abuja.

    “Maigari ordered the Chairman of Technical and Development Committee, Barrister Chris Green and his committee members to, as a matter of urgency, intervene in the on-going war of words between Super Eagles’ Head Coach Stephen Keshi and Captain Joseph Yobo.’’

    It said an unhealthy exchange of words between the two principal characters in the Nigeria squad has dominated the media in the past few days.

    According to the statement, Yobo expressed unhappiness with the coach over his exclusion from last month’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Kenya in Calabar.

    “This is a highly untoward development and the NFF and entire Nigeria football family are disturbed.

    “Less than two months ago, we lifted the Africa Cup of Nations in a blaze of glory, and this was made possible by the hard work and team work in an atmosphere of peace, unity and tranquility.

    “The recent exchange of words between Coach Keshi and Captain Yobo is worrisome, at a time that we have so many important matches and the FIFA Confederations Cup (Brazil 2013) ahead of us.

    “I have, therefore, ordered the Chairman of the Technical Committee and his members to immediately intervene and restore sanity,’’ Maigari said.

    The NFA president also cautioned the nation’s vibrant media against over-sensationalism with regards to the Keshi and Yobo issue.

    “Journalists remain important stakeholders in the game and we charge them to avoid over-playing such negative tendencies; such issues attack the fabric of the team and tend to destroy team spirit, which is key to achieving set goals and objectives,’’ he added.

    It said Nigeria had a tight and buy schedule of possibly, 10 matches in six weeks between the end of May and mid-July.

    “The Super Eagles take on CONCACAF champions, Mexico (rated 15th in the world), in a prestigious international friendly in Texas, USA on May 31.

    “They will travel to Kenya and Namibia for 2014 World Cup qualifiers within a fortnight.

    “The Super Eagles will also take part in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil, where they could play five matches if they progress beyond the group stages.

    “They will then proceed for a 2014 African Nations Championship two-legged fixture against Cote d’Ivoire.’