Former Super Eagles’ captain, Joseph Ikpo Yobo has suggested that more export and encouragement should be given to players in Nigeria’s national team, plus a new mentality among the lads, in order to ensure they qualify for next year’s World Cup.
Sports247 reports that Yobo, who was until recently an assistant coach in the Eagles’ technical crew, admitted that the team’s current situation in the 2025 FIFA World Cup qualifiers is scary but enthused that they can still pick the much treasured ticket.
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The former Everton of England and Cardiff City of Wales stopper, who started out as a top striker in his early days at Olympique Marseille of France, added that the Eagles have to step up their game in order to win their last four matches of the qualifiers.
Yobo declared, “It’s time for more support and encouragement to the boys because everything now is about winning.
Of course, they need a good performance to win, but it’s about putting in more business.”
Yobo then expressed a deep level of confidence in the Eagles’ ability to pill the chestnut out of the fire and still qualify for the first ever World Cup to be co-hosted by three countries.
He affirmed, “One game at a time and I believe in this team. I believe in the coach, though we feel sad with where we are.
“All the same, once they try and win one game at a time, I think we have a chance to qualify. They must also take note that every game is a cup final.”
Yobo then stated profound confidence in the ability of Nigeria’s players to step up their efforts in order to sail over what he referred to as the same storm he had to overcome.
He philosophised, ‘I think we have a chance to qualify. It’s never been easy when you play for Nigeria. I was there for 13, 14 years. So, I know that pressure will always be on them.
Regardless of the pressure they face, these boys can live up to expectation.”
He concluded by expressing optimism that the experience that most players in the Eagles have gained from being actively involved in top-grade matches with their clubs accords them better skills and ability to overcome all challenges that might come against them.
“They are high level players, playing in big leagues, and most of them are experienced in the national team.
“We don’t have any new comer stepping into the first eleven overnight. So, we see experienced players that can rise to the occasion.
It is a difficult situation, but let’s take it one game at a time … different mentality, various plans to win, and hope to just get a point,” Yobo elucidated.
