Nigeria’s Super Eagles assistant coach, Joseph Yobo, says he will bring motivation, inspiration and consistency to the national team.
The Nigeria Football Federation on February 12 announced the appointment of the former Eagles captain, a decision that has been questioned by sections of the football family who claim the ex-international does not have the required certification for the position.
Yobo in a recent Instagram live chat revealed that he was ready for the challenge.
“I am bringing back that motivation. As a former captain, I’m bringing inspiration. I’ve been there and I’ve done it all.
“I was a fan of the team before I became an assistant coach, so I’ve seen from a fanatical point of view how people feel when they are watching the team. We as players, while playing, don’t notice these things but after my retirement, I’ve been a pundit, I’ve given my opinion about what should be done in the team.”
The 40-year-old also noted that having had a good career at club and country level for about 15 years, it will be time for him to add that sort of consistency to the team.
“I’m bringing in my experience. Having over 15 years of consistency in my career, I think that is a lot. The good thing is that the spirit is going to improve.
“Having been a pundit and looking at this team, I think we can go a lot higher with the quality we have.”
Yobo has become increasingly relevant as The Nigeria Football Federation is insisting it will no longer be business as usual if the Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr will be given a contract extension with the country’s national men’s football team.
Speaking on TV recently, the NFF boss outlined three major conditions the German tactician will be required to accept and meet if he is to continue as the Super Eagles technical adviser.
Pinnick who also suggested that the onus is on Rohr to accept or decline the new deal he is to be offered, added that the NFF has several options of those genuinely interested in coaching the Super Eagles.
The NFF president said: “In one week, Rohr will get his contract, he should study his contract and come back to us. So, give and take, within seven days, he should have his contract.
“We have told him. He must live in Nigeria. His salary will be in Naira. He must go around the leagues and see how he can nurture the players.
“If he is able to accept it, we have a deal. There are a lot of coaches that want to coach Nigeria,” Pinnick added.
Rohr, 66, is yet to win a silverware for Nigeria though he helped the three-time African champions qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia and also led them to a third-place finish at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.