Yobo Speaks On NPFL Stars’ Chances Of Playing For The Super Eagles

The rookie coach was tasked with the responsibility of unearthing NPFL players ready to make the step up to the national team

Joseph Yobo has expressed the belief that countless quality players are plying their trade in the Nigeria Professional Football league.

The former Everton defender has, however, warned the home-based stars that he is on the lookout for more than just technical know-how in any player he would be recommending for the Super Eagles.

Yobo, Nigeria’s joint most-capped player with 101 appearances, was appointed as Gernot Rohr’s assistant to replace dismissed Imama Amapakabo.

The former Sharks ace, despite initial criticisms regarding his appointment, has warmed up to his new role, taking up the assignment of fishing out good NPFL players capable of competing with foreign-based stars.

Rohr has often favoured footballers based abroad in his team for being of better abilities, but Yobo is confident that there are home-based stars who can equally fit in.

Speaking in a chat with Brila FM via the Sun News, the former Marseille defender said: “But to say, do we have good (NPFL) players? Absolute yes! Do we have players that can come true and fit into the national team? Yes!”

Yobo, though, maintains that for any footballer on the domestic scene to be worthy of a Super Eagles call-up, he must possess a winning mentality.

“These players that are good should come with a different mentality when they are invited to the national team, to the Super Eagles, because it is different.”