Joseph Yobo reveals why he was dissapointed after Super Eagles coaching job sack
Super Eagles legend Joseph Yobo has admitted that his time as an assistant coach for the national team did not go as well as he had hoped.
Yobo, who enjoyed a successful playing career with Nigeria, including being part of the squad that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) under Stephen Keshi, expressed his disappointment with his coaching stint after joining the team in February 2020.
Reflecting on his time with the Super Eagles coaching crew, Yobo revealed that he initially hesitated to take up the role because of how coaches are treated in Nigeria. Despite his reservations, he embraced the opportunity but was ultimately let go after Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
In a candid interview, Yobo shared his frustrations: āItās always an honour to represent the national team in any capacity, but the only reason I hesitated to join the coaching crew was because of how coaches are treated. Itās not encouraging. When the opportunity came, it was an honour, even though I was skeptical, but as I continued, I realized I had it in me too.ā
Yobo was touted as a potential successor to Stephen Keshi and described as a “project for the future.” However, he was disappointed when the entire coaching staff was dismissed following the team’s failure to secure a World Cup spot.
Despite the setback, Yobo has not ruled out a return to coaching, though he has indicated that it is not his primary focus at the moment.