Nigeria are ready for Iran – Yobo

Posted by admin Headlines, Soccer, Sports Wednesday, June 11th, 2014

Joseph Yobo

Nigeria international Joseph Yobo has expressed the Super Eagles’ readiness to beat Iran when both sides meet in Group F’s opening game at the 2014 World Cup Brazil, Goal reports.

Stephen Keshi’s men will be hoping to begin their World Cup campaign on a winning note when they face Carlos Queiroz’s side at the Arena da Baixaba in Curtiba on June 16.

The 33-year old defender said that despite not winning any of their pre-World Cup friendlies, the Eagles would have a brilliant outing in Brazil starting with the game against Iran before facing Bosnia and Argentina.

“We believe in ourselves. We have played some friendly games. Not the results we expected but we have learnt a lot from it,” Yobo told Kickoffnigeria.com.

“(The games were) a little bit experimental as well, but now we are ready to go, so come the first game against Iran, we’ll make sure we do very well and get the three points.

“Yes, they are right, but as I said these games are sometimes experimental, to try different things. The World Cup is the ultimate.

“We are also disappointed that we didn’t win because we want to win and get the confidence.

“But it is over now. You take the positives from it and look forward to the bigger targets. We want Nigerians to still believe in this team, we need their support because without their support we can’t go anywhere,” he added.

Nigeria did not win any of their three pre-World Cup friendlies forcing Scotland and Greece to a draw and losing 2-1 to the United States of America.

Meanwhile, Yobo says the players are satisfied with the proposal of the Nigeria Football Federation over bonuses for the tournament, according to supersport.com.

Yobo and Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi had earlier met with the top NFF members to demand an appearance fee for the 2014 World Cup.

This is outside the match bonus, which starts at $10,000-a-man for a first round match win, announced for the players for Brazil 2014.

Yobo said the meeting to demand an appearance fee for the players was “peaceful and normal as players need to demand for their rights.

He said, “That’s very true. I haven’t been around for a while. When I came, I heard about several issues that were going on.”

“I have to make sure my players are happy. I am the captain of the national team and if the players are not happy, there is no way I can be happy.”wp_posts