Former captain Joseph Yobo appointed Nigeria’s assistant coach
Former Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo has been appointed as the assistant coach of the Nigerian national team.
A statement from the Nigerian Football Federation on Thursday said Yobo will replace Imama Amapakabo in the team’s technical bench.
However, some fans took to social media to question the appointment of the former player who, they argue, has not accumulated enough experience or qualifications for the job.
Any badge from him to earn this position ? No disrespect to Yobo..
— #RWANDA IS OUT @iamdx2 🌍 (@IamDx2) February 13, 2020
From this news, we are not told if Yobo has a coaching license, or even coached an amateur team b4. What then qualifies Yobo ahead of other candidates? @RadioPaparazi @ELEGBETE1 @chaplinez70 Is @thenff not setting a precedence of absurdity?
— 'Ladi (@Made4peak) February 13, 2020
At club level, Yobo played for a number of European clubs including English clubs Everton, whom he also captained, and Norwich City and Turkish side Fenerbahce.
Internationally, Yobo represented Nigeria 100 times making his debut in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match away to Zambia in April 2001.
Yobo, 39, played in three FIFA World Cup finals (2002, 2010 and 2014) and six Africa Cup of Nations finals (2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2013). He captained the Super Eagles to victory in the 2013 AFCON in South Africa. His 10 appearances in World Cup finals are the most for Nigeria.