Yobo tips Omeruo to step into his shoes
Aformer Super Eagles Captain, Joseph Yobo yesterday said that he had tipped in-form CD Leganes FC player, Kenneth Omeruo, to step into his shoes as a regular centre-back.
The retired footballer made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at his unveiling as brand ambassador of the inaugural Trophy 5-A-Side “Join the Field of Honour” competition.
Yobo capped 101 for Nigeria after he had starred for the country in three FIFA World Cup and Six African Cup of Nations (AFCON) after he made his debut against Zambia in 2002.
Yobo captained the senior national team in 2010 after the retirement of Kanu Nwankwo and went on to win the AFCON as a captain in 2013 with a 1-0 win over Burkina Faso in South Africa.
The 38-year-old also scored seven goals during his international career after his first goal against Madagascar in the 2012 AFCON qualifiers on Sept. 4.
Looking back at his successful years in the Green White Green jersey and a possible successor to the shoes he left behind, Yobo said that Omeruo was capable of taking over from him.
“I am happy for Omeruo because he played along with me. I am happy that he is fulfilling his potential because he is a good defender.
“Omeruo is someone I have hoped to take over from me and I am happy that he is in Spain and doing fantastically well.
“I am also happy other defenders such as Leon Balogun and other players are performing as well. It is always good that we have our defenders fit and at the moment doing well.
“Super Eagles team is presently doing well now and they need the support of all Nigerians to do well at the AFCON 2019,” he said.
Yobo, who once cut his teeth as Standard Liege of Belgium, Everton FC and Norwich FC of England and Fenerbahce FC of Turkey as a player called for inclusion of fringe players for the Super Eagles qualifiers.