The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Yobo

  • Yobo may be recalled

    Yobo may be recalled

    THERE ARE very strong indications that skipper Joseph Yobo would be recalled by Nigeria for a hectic schedule in June.

    On Thursday, the 32-year-old Fenerbache defender was again overlooked by coach Stephen Keshi from a 30-man squad for a friendly against Mexico, two 2014 World Cup qualifiers as well as the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil.

    However, MTNFootball.com has again scooped that the record-capped Yobo is now most likely to be included in the party as part of a fence-mending measure with Keshi after he was first snubbed for last month’s World Cup qualifier against Kenya.

    “Everything points to Yobo being recalled to the team as part of moves to restore harmony and understanding in the team,” a top official told MTNFootball.com.

    Member of the technical committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Paul Bassey, has already hinted the 30-man squad announced by Keshi would be tinkered with at a meeting in the coming week. “There may be plus or minus two players on the list released by Keshi when we meet next week. We are also going to talk on resolving the crisis between the coach and some of his players like Osaze (Odemwingie), (Emmanuel) Emenike and Yobo,” Paul Bassey said.

  • Yobo targets victory against Lazio

    Yobo targets victory against Lazio

    Ahead of Fenerbahçe’s Europa League quarter – final clash against Italians Lazio, Nigeria skipper Joseph Yobo says they need to win the home leg in front of their fans to stand a chance of progressing to the last four of the competition.

    Speaking to Fenerbahçe TV, the central defender said: ”I really emphasize this is a historic match for us. Our work continues, looking forward to a great match.

    ”Without supporters, it won’t be easy to reach our goals. We played two games without spectators and it was painful. Fans should be careful, the European situation is known. The fans support will be welcomed 100 percent.”

    Joseph Yobo has advised that Fenerbahçe should win Thursday’s game against the Italians without conceding a goal.

    ”Lazio is a good and strong team. We respect our opponents. To reach the quarter – finals, each team has very good players,” Yobo declared.

    Joseph Yobo, who was omitted from the Super Eagles last World Cup qualifying fixture against the Harambee Stars, has made 6 appearances in the Europa League.

  • Yobo blasts Keshi over Kenya snub

    Yobo blasts Keshi over Kenya snub

    Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo has said he felt ‘disrespected’ by Stephen Keshi for not being told that he would not be called up for last month’s 2014 World Cup qualifying match against Kenya which ended 1-1 at the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

    The Fenerbahce of Turkey defender, who is four appearances short of making a century of appearances for the national team, said on a radio station on Tuesday that he should have been told before the list was made available to the public.

    This statement rhymes with the same complaint made by Peter Odemwingie on the eve of the Nations Cup from which the West Brom striker was excluded.

    “I’m disappointed nobody called me before the team list was announced,” Yobo told Brila FM on Tuesday.

    “It’s disrespectful. I feel disrespected. I am the captain of the Super Eagles and I thought the coach should have put a call across to me.

    “I have no problem being left out,” the 12-year veteran of the national team added.

    The Super Eagles escaped with a 1-1 draw in the World Cup qualifying match after a last gasp effort from Italy-based Nnamadi Oduamadi saved Nigeria from an embarrassing defeat at home.

     

  • Yobo to clash with Onazi

    Joseph Yobo has been set against compatriot Ogenyi Onazi for the Europa League quarter final clash.

    Yobo’s club,Fenerbahce was handed a fierce contest against Lazio, that has enjoyed the services of Onazi.

    Both players were on course for Nigeria at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, with Onazi the player who enjoyed more playing time.

    in the Europa cup round of 16, Super Eagles’ skipper Yobo was on hand to help Fenerbache get past Viktoria Plzeò on Thursday 14 March with a 1-1 home draw that proved enough to see them through to the quarter finals of the Europa League competition with a 2-1 aggregate following a first leg victory in Czech Republic last Thursday.

    Yobo, who since his return to the club after the Africa Nations Cup, has played a significant role in Fenerbache’s quest for a silverware in Europe this term, bagged 90 minutes of action on the night.

    Also, midfielder Onazi played an active role to help his side get past Stuttgart in the round of 16 second leg tie with a 3-1 score line to qualify 5-1 on aggregate despite playing behind closed doors on Thursday 14 March 2013.

    Onazi who was instrumental to arming his side with a 2-0 lead prior to Thursday’s return leg tie having gotten on target to net the two goals last Thursday, played all 90 minutes of the encounter and provided the cross for Lazio’s third goal on the night.

    The first leg will be on 4 April and the second leg will be on 11 April.

  • Yobo’s Fenerbahce warn fans against violence

    Yobo’s Fenerbahce warn fans against violence

    JOSEPH Yobo’s Turkish club Fenerbahce have issued a statement warning fans against further violence that could mar the success of the outfit.

    Fenerbahce issued the statement on Friday after a flare was thrown onto the pitch during their 1-0 Europa League win over BATE Borisov on Thursday.

    Yobo came on as a second half substitute in the encounter after helping Nigeria win the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

    The Istanbul giants had to play the match behind closed doors thanks to previous incidents of fan misbehaviour, but supporters were still able to get the firework into the Sukru Saracoglu via the use of a parachute.

    And the club have reminded fans that such activities are illegal and could prove detrimental to the team’s fortunes.

    “This and similar stadium closures due to criminal activity could cause the team harm and are severe enough to interfere with the success of this club,”a statement from the Kadikoy outfit read.

    Fener will play Viktoria Plzen in the next round of the competition, with the Czechs having knocked out holders Atletico Madrid in the last 32.

  • A dream to sign off on AFCON – Yobo

    A dream to sign off on AFCON – Yobo

    Super Eagles skipper, Joseph Yobo, has said it was a dream come true to crown his last African Nations Cup tournament with his first international trophy.

    Yobo made his AFCON debut in 2002, where the Eagles finished third in Mali.

    He also featured in the competition in 2004, 2006 (third place medal), 2008 (quarterfinal) and 2010 (third place).

    The 32-year-old Yobo had a limited game time at the tournament after he lost his first-team place to youngster Kenneth Omeruo, MTNFootball.com reports.

    “This is a dream come true. I have been around for 11, 12 years. This was my sixth AFCON and I have said this would be my last. Not because I can no longer play anymore, but I have given my international career a lot of time,” said Yobo, who holds the record international appearance for Nigeria with 94 caps.

    “I’m short of words because this is a massive achievement in my national team career.

    “I’m very delighted. I feel so blessed. I’m so grateful to God for answering my prayers.”

    He attributed Nigeria’s long-awaited triumph to the stronger unity in the squad.

    “Unity has not been that strong in the previous squads but it is a lot stronger in this squad,” he said.

    Coach Stephen Keshi, who has been under pressure to win in South Africa, has dedicated the victory to local coaches in Africa.

    Brazilian Otto Gloria and Dutchman Clemens Westerhof led Nigeria to win its first two Nations Cups in 1980 and 1994, respectively.

  • Super Eagles is Yobo’s team -Enyeama

    Super Eagles is Yobo’s team -Enyeama

    Super Eagles goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, will step aside and allow defender Joseph Yobo lift the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations title should Nigeria defeat Burkina Faso in Sunday’s final, SuperSport.com reports.

    Yobo has lost his place in the Nigerian starting 11 following strong performances from Godfrey Oboabona, Elderson Echiejile, Efe Ambrose and Kenneth Omeruo in the team’s last four matches in the competition.

    It is highly unlikely that Yobo will start Sunday’s final against the Stallions but Enyeama said he will not hesitate to step aside and allow Yobo lift the AFCON trophy in the event of a Nigerian victory.

    “Jay (Joseph Yobo) is the captain and if we win on Sunday, and I know we will win, he will just go out there and pick his cup,” SuperSport.com quoted Enyeama as saying on Thursday.

    Enyeama then stressed that he was not the Nigerian captain but was merely holding brief for the Fenerbahce defender who remains the leader of the Super Eagles.

    “I am not the captain; I am merely putting on the (arm) band. Yobo is the man and he deserves to lift the trophy if we win and we will win.

    “He has served Nigeria all these years and will lift his cup on Sunday,” he concluded.

    The game between Nigeria and Burkina Faso will be played at the First National Bank (FNB) Stadium, Johannesburg on Sunday from 7pm.

     

  • Keshi, Yobo clash at AFCON

    Keshi, Yobo clash at AFCON

    Super Eagles defender, Joseph Yobo appeared to have been involved in a major falling out with Stephen Keshi, turkish-football.com reports.

    A source from the Super Eagles camp in South Africa, according to the website, said the pair are only trying to manage the situation publicly.

    Futaa.com says the problem started before the captain arrived at the team pre-tournament camp in Faro, Portugal in late December, after officials questioned his fitness level.

    The problems further escalated after Nigeria’s opening game against Burkina Faso in Nelspruit when Yobo suffered a minor ankle knock.

    The website gathered that the incident and other issues has led to an irreconcilable difference between the duo as the skipper is still hanging around out of respect for the nation, fans and some Nigeria Football Federation officials.

    There are strong indications that the player is expected to answer questions about the incident and make a strong statement at the end of Nigeria’s campaign at the tournament.

     

  • Emenike, Uche to start against Ethiopia

    Emenike, Uche to start against Ethiopia

    … Yobo out again

    Super Eagles officials have again left out injury-hit skipper Joseph Yobo, while Emmanuel Emenike and Ike Uche lead the attack against Ethiopia.

    MTNFootball.com gathered that Yobo has not fully recovered from an ankle injury, which he picked up in the match against Burkina Faso, and so he will miss his second straight match of the Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday.

    The vastly experienced Fenerbache defender returned to full training this week, but officials said he is not yet 100 percent fit for the crucial encounter.

    Stephen Keshi will therefore stick with the central defence pairing of Godfrey Oboabona and youngster Kenneth Omeruo.

    Celtic defender Efe Ambrose will regain his place at right back after he served out one-match ban for receiving a red card against Burkina Faso.

    Lazio youngster Ogenyi Onazi was the makeshift right back against Zambia on Friday.

    In midfield, Enugu Rangers new signing Sunday Mba will make his AFCON debut ahead of Real Betis ace Nosa Igiebor, who has struggled to impress in South Africa.

    The Eagles will parade a fast and daring strike force of Emmanuel Emenike, Ikechukwu Uche and Victor Moses.

    MTNFootball.com reported on Monday that Villarreal striker Uche will make his first start at this tournament on Tuesday.

    It means CSKA Moscow’s Ahmed Musa will start from the bench in this clash.

     

  • AFCON: Moses, Yobo doubtful for Ethiopia tie

    AFCON: Moses, Yobo doubtful for Ethiopia tie

    The Nigerian duo of Victor Moses and Joseph Yobo could be left out of their African Nations Cup Group C clash with Ethiopia in Rustenburg on Tuesday.

    Moses, 22, made his debut at the AFCON against Zambia but showed signs of still struggling with his hamstring, Supersport.com reports.

    The Chelsea attacking winger played for 78 minutes in the game against Zambia before he was substituted for Brown Ideye and is yet to recover from the injury, according to head coach, Stephen Keshi.

    Captain of the Super Eagles, Yobo is also a huge doubt owing to an ankle injury after missing the 1-1 draw with Zambia in Nelspruit on Friday.

    “Victor Moses is still under observation. He’s been training but not at 100 percent right now. Same goes for Joseph Yobo who missed the last game,” said Keshi.

    But the Nigerian manager is not ruling out both players from the crucial game against Ethiopia.

    “They still have a good chance of making the squad for the game as they have been training with the team. But if they are not healthy enough we will seek other options,” he added.

    Supersport.com was also informed that Warri Wolves’ defender, Azubuike Egwuekwe, has recovered from illness that has kept him out of the Nigerian squad.