The former international defender’s elevation to the Super Eagles coaching role raised a few eyebrows, but the Nigeria Football Federation is convinced they have made a great choice.
NFF President Amaju Pinnick maintains that the decision to name former Everton skipper Joseph Yobo as the new Super Eagles assistant coach is the right call.
Yobo is set to take over from ex-Enugu Rangers coach Imama Amapakabo following the latter’s disappointing spell when handling the nation’s U-23 side.
While Amapakabo’s dismissal is an expected one, Yobo’s appointment caught many by surprise, and it has continued to generate mixed reactions from fans and pundits alike.
Even the head coach of the national team, Gernot Rohr, appeared unimpressed by the decision to pick a man allegedly still without a coaching certificate to assist him.
But Pinnick is pleased to see a Nigerian legend assume a role where he can inspire the next generation of Super Eagles stars to greatness.
Yobo played the game at the highest level for the best part of two decades as he featured for the likes of Standard Liege, Marseille, Everton, and Fenerbahce.
Until his international football retirement in June 2014, he was the captain of the Nigerian national team. The former defender also skippered Stephen Keshi-led Super Eagles side to triumph at the 2013 African Cup of Nations tournament.
Pinnick expects the 39-year-old to bring this wealth of experience into his Super Eagles role.
“Yobo has good leadership spirit, I also think that he will be a very good mentor to our young players, and he also has discipline with a great level of dignity, ” Pinnick told journalists, according to quotes carried by Brila.net.
Yobo is the joint most capped Nigeria player in history, earning 101 caps in total before retiring after the 2014 World Cup.
