Super Eagles Captain, Joseph Yobo has announced his retirement from the
national side after His team lost 2-0 to France in the round 16 of the ongoing world cup in Brazil on Monday. The 33-year-old became the
first Nigerian to play 100 international matches but his day ended on a sour
note with an own goal in added time against Les Bleus. “It was
a bittersweet moment for me but I think it is time to focus on my family,” Yobo
told reporters. “It has been a long road.”
Yobo
made his debut with the Super Eagles in 2001 but became a mainstay of the team
during the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.
He
played at three World Cups and captained Nigeria to the title at the African
Cup of Nations last year.
“We’ve
won the African Nations Cup and we came here and were not disgraced,” said the
Fenerbahce man.
“I
never thought that I’d be here because I missed the last six games of the
season through injury. They gave me an opportunity but it is unfortunate what
happened. “I gave
my all."
Yobo
thinks he’s leaving the national team in capable hands with defenders Kenneth
Omeruo and Godfrey Oboabona able to continue in his place.
“They
would grow,” he said. “Omeruo has done very well. Oboabona was injured but he
got his chance at the Nations Cup. They’re going to get better, the experience
is going to come and one of them has to take the responsibility and be a
leader.”
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