Friday May 27th is a day that will forever go down as a special day in the minds of sports lovers in Port Harcourt and Nigeria in general.This was the day that former Super Eagles player and captain who sang the national anthem of Nigeria a whooping 101 times celebrated his golden achievement and service of playing 101 times for Nigeria.
The movers and shakers of the Nigerian football scene, political scene and entertainment scene were all present at the event. Other notable dignitaries were Sports Administrators like Chief Ifeanyi Ubah of FC Ifeanyi Ubah ( who is also a sponsor of the program), Felix Anyansi-Agwu, Ex Everton and Manchester United coach David Moyes, Samuel Eto’o Fils and many more.
Soccer120.com was not left out of the history making day, as it top Sports Journalist, Chinedu Okorodike was LIVE at the stadium to cover proceedings.
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| Cheer Leaders of Nigeria performing |
The Governor struck his penalty against the right woodwork, leaving goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama rooted to the sport. That penalty kick by the Governor took fans down memory lane as it was similar to Victor Ikpeba penalty against Cameroon in the year 2000.
The teams involved in the testimonial match were Yobo and friends against Super Eagles Stars.
The floodgate of goals started as early as the 8th minute as Nigerian Ex-International, Emmanuel Emenike opened scoring with a well taken close range shot for Super Eagles Stars. That Joy was short lived when four minutes later Sulley Muntari of Ghana equalized for Yobo and friends.
Man of the moment was skipper Jay Jay Okocha who gave the fans a nostalgia feeling with his deft touches, dribbles and body movements. While Kanu Nwankwo anchored the midfield with authority as he did in the past.
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| Joseph Yobo greeting dignitaries |
The second goal was scored by ex Inter Milan midfielder Joel Obi in the 14th minute after receiving another killer pass from Jay Jay Okocha. Due to the pass and Okocha displays,Samuel Eto’o Fils playfully asked the referee to substitute Jay Jay Okocha.
In the 24th minute, Cameroonian Legend and three times African footballer of the year Samuel Eto’o Fils equalized for Yobo and friends. His goal move left goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama crawling on the ground as he (Enyeama) attempted to catch the ball. Enyeama gleefully chased Samuel Eto’o Fils around th pitch. An action that seems he was angry with Samuel Eto’o Fils for scoring. The two men latter hugged each other as play continued.
Emmanuel Emenike was like a running engine as he scored a brace in the 26th and 28th minute to complete his hat-trick of the day.
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| Team Nigeria Line Up |
In the 49th minute,the celebrant Joseph Yobo scored a penalty in the second half. Nollywood legend Osita Iheme (aka Pawpaw) was introduced for Yobo and friends. Minutes later he scored the fourth goal via a low shot at close range which left the supporters bemused.
The celebrant Joseph Yobo spoke to Soccer120.com after the match. He said “I missed football due to injury, this is my first time in a while I’m playing football. I never knew I can play with such high intensity. I’m celebrating today, I feel blessed".
“I feel great for this opportunity, I want to appreciate everyone for the huge support. The Rivers State government, Moyes, Eto’o and everyone that came. The event makes me realize what I have done for my country, I appreciate the fans for their massive turn out.”
Watch Highlight of the match below and Paw Paw goal below
Watch Highlight of the match below and Paw Paw goal below
About Joseph Yobo
Joseph Phillip Yobo (born 6 September 1980) is a former Nigerian professional footballer who played as a centre back. He was the captain of the Nigerian national team until his international football retirement in June 2014, and he is Nigeria's record appearance holder.
Yobo's birthplace is Kono, a community in the Khana area of Rivers State, Nigeria. Yobo left Nigeria to join Standard Liège in 1998. He made his first team debut in 2000, and went on to appear 46 times. In 2001, he was bought by Marseille
Soon after making his debut, Yobo was loaned to Tenerife. After around nine months, Yobo returned to Marseille, before joining Everton, again on loan, in July 2002. A £1 million fee was required to register the player, and he became the first signing of David Moyes. An option to make the move permanent was taken up and completed in 2003 after a dispute between Yobo and Marseille was settled, with Everton agreeing a fixed additional fee of £4 million.
On 15 April 2007, Yobo became the record appearance holder for an overseas player at Everton, a record he held until early 2012. For the UEFA Cup match against Larissa of Greece on 25 October 2007, Yobo was named as captain in the absence of Phil Neville and thus became the first African to captain the club.
On 31 August 2010, Yobo signed a one-year loan contract with Fenerbahçe. Yobo played in 30 official matches and scored a goal, helping his team win the league title. On 6 September 2011, Fenerbahçe and Everton agreed on another loan deal for €700,000 and Yobo signed a one-year contract worth €2.35 million.
On 4 August 2012, he re-signed for Fenerbahçe once again, but this time on a permanent basis on a 3-year contract, after having played for Everton for 10 years. On 17 August Fenerbahçe played against Torku Konyaspor and Yobo scored a goal in this match.
Before the 2014-2015 season his contract with Fenerbahce was terminated with mutual agreement.
On 31 August 2014 was awarded with the plaque of appreciation and have been released from Fenerbahce.
On 30 January 2014, Yobo returned to England on loan at Norwich City for the remainder of the season with a view to a permanent move in the summer.He marked his debut for the club with a clean sheet against top-scoring club Manchester City on 8 February
Yobo is a former Nigeria international, who has been capped 101 times and represented the Super Eagles at three FIFA World Cups and six Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
After participating in Nigeria's run to the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship quarter-finals, Yobo made his senior international debut against Zambia in a 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifier on 24 March 2001. He played in all six of the team's matches in the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations and was included in the squad for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where he was again ever-present,assisting Julius Aghahowa's goal in a 2–1 loss to Sweden.
Yobo made his second World Cup appearance at the 2010 tournament in South Africa, after which he assumed the captaincy on the international retirement of Nwankwo Kanu. The veteran defender was no longer a first choice player at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, but lifted the trophy after appearing as an 89th-minute substitute in Nigeria's 1–0 final defeat of Burkina Faso.
In June 2014, Yobo was included in Stephen Keshi's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He was named in the starting line-up for both the second and third group matches, helping the Super Eagles to clean sheet in a 1–0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.On 30 June, he made his 100th international appearance, captaining Nigeria against France in the round of 16. After scoring an own goal in the 2–0 defeat.
Yobo announced his international retirement, saying: "This is it. I can look back on my career with great pride. I wanted to leave on a high for my country. Defeat by France was not the right way to go but I'm happy with all I've done for the national team. It's time to give a chance to other people to come through."
In 2010, following a brief courtship, Yobo married former MBGN Adaeze Igwe in a midnight ceremony held in Jos. The couple wedded in a very low key ceremony barely three months after they met in December 2009. However, it is known that they are said to be trying to hide their marital troubles from the press and general public. The couple welcomed a baby boy named Joey Yobo April 2010.
He is the younger brother of former Nigeria international Albert Yobo. In July 2008, his younger brother Norum was kidnapped in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria and held for ransom. He was eventually released after 12 days on 17 July 2008.
It was widely reported in the Nigerian media that Yobo went to T.B. Joshua for prayers after suffering a hamstring injury in the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.
In 2007, Yobo set up the Joseph Yobo Charity Foundation, to help under-privileged children in Nigeria. As of 18 July 2007, he has handed out over 300 scholarship awards ranging from primary to university level. Yobo has started a football academy in the Ogoni region of Nigeria. He also runs football camps in Lagos.
By Chinedu Okorodike (Juan)
