The 33-year-old Fenerbache defender has returned from international wilderness after he was shut out by Stephen Keshi soon after the country won a third Africa Cup of Nations last year in South Africa.
This was after Yobo’s place was taken by the youngster Kenneth Omeruo at the AFCON following injury to the more experienced central defender.
Keshi’s snub came at a time when Yobo was also surplus to requirements at Turkish club Fenerbache.
The former Everton star therefore had to move in the winter on loan to English Premier League side Norwich in a desperate bid to save his career.
After a great start to his return to England, Yobo missed the last few weeks of the past season as Norwich were relegated to the English Championship.
He was delighted on his return to the team, vowing to justify his re-instatement.
“I am humbled and I pray that I will justify the confidence reposed in me,” Yobo said.
Yobo’s return has been generally well received.
“I think Yobo’s return to the Eagles is a good one. He was picked by the coach and we must respect that decision. He has been a good player for Nigeria for many years, and so his addition should be a plus to the team in Brazil,” former international skipper Mutiu Adepoju said in support.
He is now just two caps away from hitting a record century of caps for Nigeria.
It is a milestone which he could achieve at the World Cup in Brazil.
But like it was at last year’s AFCON, Yobo will again have to contend with the younger Omeruo and Godfrey Oboabona for a place in the first team.
His personality, experience and calming influence will be very crucial in a very shaky and inexperienced Nigeria defence.
He posted a decent shift against Scotland and was not really exposed against fellow World Cup qualifiers Greece.
But against the USA, in the Eagles final World Cup warm-up game, Yobo will have to take the blame for the two goals scored by Jozy Altidore.
Altidore cashed in Yobo’s sluggishness caused by old age to break an eighth-month goals drought.
His physical conditioning is also a source for concern as he is reportedly on the treatment on a daily basis at the Eagles World Cup training camp.
It would be recalled that he missed the last four games of the season for Norwich City as a result of injury.
Yobo will be fired up to make the most of his return to the Eagles not just because he is aiming for a century of caps but because he, like several other Nigeria stars, is on the shop window in Brazil.
It does not look likely he will stay put at demoted Norwich or return to Fenerbache, meaning he will most likely to heading elsewhere after the World Cup.
It therefore means he has to be at his best to attract the right suitors.
He said he and the rest of the team will take it a game at a time in Brazil.
“We have to take it one game at a time,” he insisted.
“Iran is our first match, I don’t think we know much about them but they deserve respect to have made it to the World Cup. We will do our best to win the game, then think of the next game after that. It’s a game at a time.”
He defended the team’s unconvincing showings in the build-up to the big kick-off.
“We played some friendly games and we did not get the results we expected. But we tried different things, it was experimental,” he argued.
“We were disappointed as well. Hopefully, before the first game, we will be ready. The World Cup is the ultimate.
“We therefore need the support and prayers of the fans, without which we can’t go anywhere. They should support us, we know the task at hand.”
