Yobo ready for a new partner

Posted by admin Headlines Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

February 24, 2012

Yobo

Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo has expressed confidence in the ability of the home-based players to live up to expectation when the team engage Rwanda in an African Nations Cup qualifier in Kigali.

Yobo, who spoke from his base in Turkey, said he was not bothered if his central defence partner would be from the Nigerian league or abroad.

He said, “I have lost count of the number of players that I have paired with in the team. From Taribo (West) to Isaac Okoronkwo – I have rarely played up to four matches in the national team without a new partner. All I do is come to camp and let the coaches decide who will be my partner. I am already used to that. Just one or two training sessions helps me to adjust to a new partner.”

The Fenerbahce defender said the reports from Abuja and Monrovia where the Eagles defeated Liberia 2-0 have given him more reasons to be sure of good result for Nigeria from the February 29 match.

“I trust the coach’s judgment. I have been in contact with the camp (in Abuja) and I learnt there are good defenders in the team. If the players were good enough not to concede a goal against Angola and Liberia, then I have no fear playing with them. I am sure their performance in those games must have boosted the coach’s confidence in them. I didn’t watch those matches but those results show that they are good enough. I thank them for keeping the flag flying and sustaining our 100 percent record since Keshi took charge,” he added.

He appealed to the uninvited foreign-based players to rally round the team.

“The coach is trying something new. We have to support him and see how it works out. Maybe in the next match, he may say I don’t need Yobo. Who knows? Those who are not in this list should pray for the team. There are many more matches ahead.”wp_posts