Former Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo urges Nigerians to back the team, insisting qualification is still possible despite their challenging position in Group C.
Former Super Eagles skipper Joseph Yobo has urged Nigerians not to count out the Eagles’ chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, emphasizing that their fate has not yet been sealed. He made this statement during an interview on the sidelines of the Troost-Ekong Charity match held at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos.
Joseph Yobo, the former defender for Everton FC in England, encouraged Nigerians to rally behind the team as they strive to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The Super Eagles are currently facing a challenging situation, sitting in fourth place in their qualifying Group C after six matches and accumulating seven points.
Nigeria is six points behind South Africa, who lead the group with 13 points, with four games remaining. To have any hope of qualifying, the Super Eagles must win all their remaining matches. Their upcoming games include a home match against Rwanda and an away match against South Africa in September, followed by two additional games against Lesotho (away) and Benin Republic (home) in October. He believes that despite the difficult circumstances, the Super Eagles still have a chance to qualify. “It’s a tough situation, but there is a possibility. We have been in this position before; this team knows how to grind out results. They need to play as a united group and focus on securing the necessary results. Winning is the most important thing, regardless of how well they play. If we drop any points again, we will be out of the race,” he stated.
Joseph Yobo expressed confidence in the current squad of the Super Eagles, highlighting his experience as an assistant coach with the team. “I believe in this set of players because I know what they can do. Sometimes, situations like this wake us up and we might have to play a few more games to prove ourselves,” he added.
Regarding his future in coaching, Yobo has not yet decided what lies ahead for him. He mentioned that coaching is not particularly appealing to him at the moment. “I have tried coaching, but the experience wasn’t very good. I’ve played and led the team as captain, and I’m not sure I’m ready for it yet. Coaching has to be enticing for someone to pursue it seriously. I am a vocal person and maintain close relationships with coaches I’ve worked with, so it’s a nuanced situation for me. The football world needs to make coaching more attractive to encourage retired players to step into those roles, but we are not there yet.” He also emphasized the importance of including former players in the coaching process. “Until we start bringing senior players back into the league, we won’t see progress. Former players should be part of the system so they can feel they can coach. I have experience in that space, and while I enjoy it, I don’t think I am ready to sacrifice my personal business for a coaching job just yet,” he remarked.
Reflecting on his time at Everton FC, Yobo described the experience as unforgettable. “I have mixed feelings about being invited to be part of the Everton FC movement to a new stadium, especially since I couldn’t attend the opening. I spent nine years at Goodison Park, and it has become a significant part of me. I feel emotional because I am familiar with every corner of the stadium, from the changing room to the pitch. I’m happy for the club as they move to a larger and better stadium, which is essential for business. Goodison Park, with its capacity of 40,000, is small, and the new stadium will provide greater business opportunities and more visibility. My debut with Everton FC was the most special moment of my time at the club, and my last game was also quite significant,” he concluded.
