The governing body NFF has explained why Joseph Yobo was brought into the coaching crew, MySportDab reports.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick has stated the body is preparing Joseph Yobo as a future Super Eagles manager.
The federation appointed the former Everton centre-back as second assistant to Gernot Rohr in February, replacing Imama Amapakabo.
Pinnick believes Yobo will add value to the Super Eagles and hopes he will follow the footsteps of former international Stephen Keshi.
The late Keshi guided the side to their third Africa Cup of Nations title in 2013.
“When Yobo was captain of the Super Eagles before he retired, I saw inborn leadership character in him.
His charisma and the way he carried other players in the team was exceptional,” Pinnick said, as per the Guardian.
“Yobo is a born leader and this is why the federation decided to appoint him as one of the assistants in the Super Eagles team.
“We are looking up to Yobo to manage the Super Eagles in future and being part of the team’s technical crew will give him that chance to coach the Super Eagles in the nearest future.
“The late Stephen Keshi was additionally an exceptional leader when he was the captain of the Super Eagles.
He later grew in the coaching job to handle the Super Eagles and Yobo needs to be encouraged.
“This is not the first time a Nigerian retired player would be given this type of opportunity.
Yobo’s presence in the Eagles will assist the team.”
Yobo’s career with the national team spanned more than a decade before his retirement in 2014, having made his debut in 2001 against Zambia.
The defender broke into the limelight at the 2002 World Cup, setting up Julius Aghahowa for Nigeria’s only aim in the tournament.
He additionally featured at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups and captained the Super Eagles to continental glory in South Africa.
At the time of his appointment, the former Fenerbahce defender is but to secure his coaching badges however Pinnick reveals the NFF has not breached any law.
“Apart from the first assistant in the national team, different coaches that are yet to get a coaching license are allowed to be in the team’s technical team according to the rules. So, Yobo’s appointment is on track.”
Yobo holds the record of the most–capped Super Eagles player alongside with former goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.
