I have not physically seen Joseph Yobo in several years. I have only spoken with him only two times in as many years. Both times have been in the past three weeks since his appointment as Assistant coach of the Super Eagles. Some people had called him up believing I must have had a say in his appointment.
So, the very courteous gentleman called to thank me. I told him I had no ‘hand’ in it. True, I wrote an article predicting that Joseph Yobo will lead Nigeria’s Super Eagles to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2020. That was all I did – I used him as a metaphor to drive home my point that Nigeria has had enough of foreign coaches, and has a pool of gre
at retired ex-internationals, led by Joseph Yobo, that should take overall Nigerian national teams.
Probably, my article was found reasonable. But I refuse to take the credit because taking up the job would become a huge responsibility for a person not prepared for it. He thanked me nevertheless.
Last week, he called me again. This time there was great excitement in his voice as we chatted. He did most of the talking.
It was not an interview. I did not tell him I would publish our short conversation, but something tells me the public deserves to share in this excitement. This is not a verbatim report, but it is close enough to his words. Hear Joseph Yobo, the legendary Nigerian player and new assistant coach of the Super Eagles.
‘I always wanted to find a way to give back to my country that did a lot for me in my life through football. I am ever grateful for the opportunities I had to serve as player and captain of the Junior and senior national teams.
One of the ways I was planning to give back is for me to pass my knowledge and experiences to the younger ones by being a coach. But seeing the politics involved in coaching, and the stories of how our indigenous coaches w
ere treated, some of which I know about, to coach was not, therefore, an attractive option for me. I did not think I could cope with life as a coach in Nigeria, so I did not even try.
The next best thing was for me to establish an institution, a transit platform for young players to get easier access to the same kind of opportunities abroad that I got, and that’s what I did through my present project supporting talented children. I have been working with young footballers and helping to shape their careers, both locally and abroad.
So, although I did not prepare myself for a life in coaching, I learnt a great deal under the several coaches that I played for throughout my years in Europe.
You must appreciate that as a defender, European coaches concentrated a lot on us. They organize their team plays from the defence. I was always a focal point of those sessions and I learnt a great deal than most other field players.
For many years, in many clubs and with many coaches, the pattern was the same, and I learnt tremendously.
When this opportunity came, it was a great surprise because I had never discussed the idea of coaching in Nigeria with anyone before. I believed it was a divine calling because deep down in my heart I knew that coaching provides the best platform to give back the knowledge I have gathered through the decades in football to the young ones.
Instead of me to see this present situation as a problem, because some people say I do not have a coaching certificate, I have decided to take it as a challenge. I am used to challenges. I faced them throughout my long football career.
I have to succeed to justify the confidence reposed in me by those that made all this possible.
I am very excited as you can see, and since my appointment, I have started my preparations.
Most of my past European Club coaches have called me and expressed their support for me. They are sharing in my excitement, and are willing and eager to help me get the best and fastest kind of training In Europe. For now, I am working out a proper itinerary and will soon embark on my plans. I shall, of course, for now playing my role very well as an assistant coach.
I shall surely contribute my best, and by the time I finish the various programs I am putting in place, with the support of Nigerians, I shall become the best trained and prepared coach to serve my country. Nigerians should wait and see.
I shall pleasantly surprise them”
