Super Eagles defenders excite AFCON-winning captain Yobo

Former Super Eagles assistant coach Joseph Yobo has said he has been most impressed with the current crop of defenders in the national team.

Yobo was a rock-solid central defender for top clubs like Everton, Olympique Marseille and Fenerbache in his playing days.

He also won 101 caps with the Super Eagles and led the country to win the 2013 AFCON in South Africa.

Yobo has now said he likes what he has seen of the talent in the Super Eagles defence.

“I have worked with Calvin (Bassey) and Semi (Ajayi), these boys are professional, they are hungry to succeed,” he remarked.

“(William) Ekong is a leader, he reminds me of my younger self, he is everybody’s person.

“There’s also (Chidozie) Awaziem, he is also part of the group.”

Yobo admitted he was gutted when he was fired after the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

“I was honoured to work with the national team, it was a privilege, but I was highly disappointed the way I was treated,” he said.

“They need to change how they treat our local coaches.”

All the same, he said he could still return to coaching because Nigeria football would be better for it with him now trying to pass on the knowledge he acquired playing at the highest level in Europe.

“I learnt a lot (in the Super Eagles as a coach), I love it and have not shut the door (against going back to coaching), but it’s no longer my first priority,” he said.

“If I don’t go back to coaching, Nigeria would have missed something.”