The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Yobo

  • Yobo to Eagles: Be focused

    Yobo to Eagles: Be focused

    •Hails Keshi

    Fenerbahce of Turkey defender, Joseph Yobo is confident Nigeria has taken a major step towards a fifth appearance at the FIFA World Cup next year but warns his colleagues in the Super Eagles that it is not signed, sealed and delivered yet. Yobo, the most capped Super Eagle praised the team that defeated Ethiopia last Sunday in Addis Ababa for displaying the never say die Nigerian spirit in Ethiopia.

    ‘I think the Eagles have shown they are worthy champions of Africa. The feat they achieved at the 2013 AFCON was not by fluke. I am indeed proud to be associated with the crop of dedicated and committed players we now have in the national team,”said Yobo who singled out the team`s gaffer, Stephen Keshi for special praise. ‘No matter what anybody says, coach Keshi has done a tremendous job of building a team most Nigerians are now proud. I have been in the national team for over 10 years and should know better. He (Keshi) has moulded a team that can be better than the team he captained to our first world cup appearance in 1994.”. Yobo however wants all hands to be on deck towards the second leg against Ethiopia and for the players not to lose focus. `If I am not there personally to be with the team as their leader, I will be with them in spirit because the team’s success is also mine and that of Nigerians,”he further said and praised Cross River state governor, senator Liyel Imoke for his contribution towards the success of the team.

    ‘The Nigeria Football Federation also deserves praise for providing the team with all the support that have taken us this far,”he concluded.

  • Keshi to recall Yobo for Ethiopia game

    Keshi to recall Yobo for Ethiopia game

    There are strong indications that Super Eagles Captain Joseph Yobo may be recalled into the team after the first leg World Cup qualifiers against the Walya Antelope of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa.

    A source close to the Head Coach of the team, Stephen Keshi who spoke to NationSport in confidence, said the Big Boss may likely recall the Fernabache strongman back into the team after the first leg World Cup qualifying match against the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia in Calabar.

    Yobo has been out of the team since leading the Super Eagles to win the Nations cup in January. He was said to have made some uncomplimentary comments on his exclusion from subsequent qualifying matches, which, however, did not go down well Keshi who though continued to insist that the former Everton player still remains the captain of the team, but refused to invite him to any of the matches.

    According to our source, “the Big Boss still holds Joseph Yobo in high esteem. He has great regards for him, and that is the main reason why he always insists Yobo is still his captain. Yobo is his boy, and they still relate well. I am very sure the captain would be part of the return leg match against Ethiopia in Calabar. Though, the Big Boss has not told anyone that, but his body language is seriously suggesting that. He holds nothing against Yobo, and would want to prove that by extending him invitation to him in the match in Calabar” the source said.

    Meanwhile, Yobo has revealed to NationSport that he is in touch with all the players in the team, urging them to ensure that they do the country proud in Addis Ababa in the World Cup qualifier.

    Speaking from his base in Turkey, the former junior international said: ” I am in touch with the players, and I have told them the need to win the match for the country. I told them the importance of the match and the World Cup qualification for the country’s history, and they have promised to put in their best. I still wish the team well, because I know I am still part of the family, and qualifying for the 2014 World Cup would be a great thing for the centenary celebration of our country. So all hands must be on deck to pick the ticket” he said.

  • LATENESS TO TRAINING: Yobo fined N1.6m

    LATENESS TO TRAINING: Yobo fined N1.6m

    • Emenike honoured by Golf Club

    Eagles skipper Joseph Yobo has been slapped a $10,000 (about N1.6m) fine by Turkish club Fenerbache after he reported late to training.

    Yobo, who trained with the rest of the team for the first time on Thursday after being sidelined with a knee injury for over three weeks, was reported to have showed up at the team’s training ground late and that did not go down well with the management and so the hefty fine, according to fanatik.com.

    Otherwise, Yobo, wearing a new bearded look, was superb at training, a performance that was praised even by his team mates.

    In the meantime, compatriot and Fenerbache teammate Emmanuel Emenike has been honoured by the Turkey Golf Club.

    Emenike entered the history book in Turkey as one of the first set of Fenerbahce players to be hosted by the prestigious Golf Club.

    Emenike was honoured and hosted by Kemer Golf Country on Thursday alongside his team mates Dirk Kuyt, Saleh and Caner. The event which was staged at the club in Holmen, saw the players trying their skills on the golf course.

    Emenike is expected to lead the Turkish giants alongside Moussa Sow today at home against Elazigspor.

    The 2013 AFCON goal king is still searching for his first goal for the Turkish team since his big-money move this summer from Russian club Spartak Moscow.

  • Yobo fined $10,000 for lateness to training

    Yobo fined $10,000 for lateness to training

    Super Eagles’ skipper, Joseph Yobo, has been slapped a $10,000 fine by Turkish club Fenerbache after he reported late to training.

    Yobo, who trained with the rest of the team for the first time on Thursday after being sidelined with knee injury for over three weeks, was reported to have showed up at the team’s training ground late and that did not go down well with the management and so the hefty fine, according to fanatik.com

    Otherwise, Yobo, who is wearing a new bearded look, was superb at training, a performance that was applauded even by his team mates.

    In the meantime, compatriot and Fenerbache teammate Emmanuel Emenike has been honoured by the Turkey Golf Club.

    MTNFootball.com reports that Emenike with that development has entered the history book in Turkey as one of the first set of Fenerbahce players to be hosted by the prestigious Golf Club.

     

     

  • Emenike wants Yobo in Eagles

    Emenike wants Yobo in Eagles

    Emmanuel Emenike has asked that Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo be recalled to the national team because of his experience.

    Yobo has not played for the Eagles since the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

    Emenike, who netted two goals on his return to the team after a long injury lay off, told MTNFootball.com that Yobo’s experience is still very crucial for the Eagles.

    Youngster Kenneth Omeruo benched the 95-cap former Everton defender at the AFCON and in the absence of the injured Omeruo, Warri Wolves skipper Azubuike Egwuekwe has been considered ahead of the Eagles skipper, who clocked 33 recently.

    “Even though it is the decision of the coach on who he invites to the national team, personally I think we still need Yobo in the team,” Emenike said.

    “I play with him every week and sincerely we need his wealth of experience in the Eagles.

    “I am in the Eagles doing well today is partly because of the encouragement I get from Yobo and the coach.”

    The Fenerbache striker, who described Yobo as “a senior brother,” equally lauded the former Flying Eagles star for scouting him out for the Eagles.

    “He brought me to the Super Eagles after we played against each other in a match in Turkey, before Samson Siasia came over to convince me to play for the country,” he added.

     

  • Surprise 33rd birthday bash for Yobo

    Surprise 33rd birthday bash for Yobo

    Fenerbahce organised a surprise birthday bash for Nigeria defender Joseph Yobo on Saturday to mark his 33rd birthday.

    Yobo (Born September 6), who is returning to training after he was sidelined by injury for three weeks, had a joint birthday bash alongside Emre and Topuz courtesy the team and was joined in the celebrations by players as well as the officials.

    The three celebrants cut the cake together. Yobo thanked the top Turkish team for the event.

    “I was surprised about the party, I thank the team as a whole for putting the party together for me and my friends who are having our birthday at same period,” Yobo said.

    Yobo trained separately and could be available for the next league match away to Kasimpasa on September 16.

  • Yobo hails Eagles’ feat

    Yobo hails Eagles’ feat

    Super Eagles Captain Joseph Yobo has congratulated the team for qualifying for the knock out stage of the 2014 World Cup to be held in Brazil.
    The out –of-favour captain, who spoke to Sportinglife from his base in Turkey, said: “I want to use this opportunity to congratulate my team mates for making Nigerians happy . It was not an easy match, but they were able to stand their ground and come out victorious. I spoke to some of them before the match, telling them the need to win the match for the country, and the importance of the 2014 World Cup to Nigeria as a country. I commend their efforts, and I believe the journey has just started. We have to fight to the end. It is only the end that would justify the means”.
    He also appreciated Nigerians for their untiring support for the team, appealing that they should support the team to the end of the qualifiers. He is optimistic that the Super Eagles would make it to the 2014 World Cup.
    The Fernabache strongman prefers to remain silent over his continued exclusion from the team, but maintained that he still remains the captain, and would soon be back in the team.
    Yobo last played for the country at the 2013 Africa Nations Cup in South Africa, and was gunning for an all time record of 100 caps for the Super Eagles before he fell out with the Head Coach of the team, Stephen Keshi over some of his remarks which the coach did not take kindly. Though, Keshi has at various occasions maintained that the former Everton of England defender remains an integral part of the team, and the captain.

  • Enyeama reveals: Eagles still missing Yobo

    Enyeama reveals: Eagles still missing Yobo

    Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama says captain Joseph Yobo is still badly missed in the Super Eagles set-up, as the team get set to host Malawi in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday.

    Yobo, Nigeria’s most capped player, has not played for the Super Eagles since the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations last February in South Africa. And Enyeama, who takes honour in deputising Yobo says the Fenerbahce back man is still being missed in the camp of the team.

    “It’s a big honour to wear the (captain’s arm) band for this country. It’s also an honour to stand in place of Yobo. He is a great guy and an amazing person. He’s a great human being,” Enyeama told supersport.com.

    The Lille Metropole goalkeeper then expressed sadness at Yobo’s absence from the squad that will face Malawi on Saturday.

    “I wish Yobo was here in Calabar, unfortunately, he’s not. It’s up to the coach to decide who comes to the camp and who does not but I really wish he was here. However, it’s an honour for me to captain this great side,” Enyeama said.

    The game will be played at the U.J Esuene stadium with Nigeria needing only a draw to advance to the final stage of Africa qualifier.

  • Yobo doubtful for Arsenal

    Yobo doubtful for Arsenal

    Super Eagles skipper, Joseph Yobo is a major doubt for the UEFA Champions League play-off return leg against Arsenal at the Emirates on Tuesday.

    The Nigerian was not listed for the Yellow Canaries’ lone goal victory over Eskiehirspor last Saturday.

    SportingLife gathered that Yobo may have injured his left hand during the first leg 3-0 loss to the Gunners.

    The defender, who was singled out as one of the best performers in the defeat, did, however, train on Sunday at Fenebahce’s Bartu Facility as Ersun Yanal drilled his players for an hour and a half.

    Yobo was said to have been exempted from the warm-up session after complainning of pains in his hand.

  • Yobo regrets opening day loss

    Yobo regrets opening day loss

    Joseph Yobo said he was disappointed his goal was not enough to get Fenerbahce off to a winning start in the Turkish league.

    Fenerbache lost 2-3 in the opening game of the campaign at Konyaspor on Saturday.

    Yobo, who gave his side the lead in the 26th minute with a diving header, said he was disappointed Fenerbache lost the game as he would have loved to have got off to a winning start in the new season.

    “I wish my goal gave us all the three points,” the Nigeria skipper lamented.

    “It’s really a tough situation. We have learnt our lessons and we need to fix ourselves. We were disappointed.

    “We have to put this defeat behind us and now hope to get victory against Arsenal (in the UEFA Champions League playoff match on Wednesday).”

    The highly experienced central defender has stayed put at the top Istanbul club amid speculations in the close season that he could be shipped out on loan.

    Yobo’s compatriot Emmanuel Emenike debuted for the Istanbul giants after his big-money move from Russia’s Spartak Moscow, but fired blanks.