Four NPFL clubs namely Akwa Utd, FC Ifeanyiubah, Kano Pillar and Wikki Tourists are bidding to sign former Super Eagles defender and captain Joseph Yobo. The arrangement will see Joseph lace his heroic and iconic boot and play the last 12 matches of the NPFL. The deal will see Yobo play under the NPFL Elite Players Scheme which Sani Kaita benefited from two seasons ago when he signed for Enyimba FC of Aba. Joseph Yobo who recently had a memorable testimonial match which had notable ex-Super Eagles footballers and celebrities in attendance, played for the Super Eagles a record 101 times during which he was captain from 2010 - 2016 after taking over from Kanu Nwankwo. He also played for Standard Liège (1998–2001), Marseille (2001–2003), Everton (2003–2012), Fenerbahçe (2010–2014), Norwich City (loan) (2014) in a glorious club career.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has appointed former Super Eagles Captain, Joseph Yobo, as Senior Special Assistant on Sports Development to the governor. The governor also appointed Chibuzor Aholu as Senior Special Assistant to the governor on financial matters. A statement by Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, said the appointments take immediate effect. Yobo is Nigeria’s record title appearance, with 101 caps. Last Friday, Yobo had his Testimonial which was well attended by soccer stars across the world including the likes of Samuel Eto’o and former Manchester United Coach David Moyes.
Hours after former Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo treated his fans with a splendid testimonial match in Port Harcourt, all road led to his home town Kono, a community in Khana area of Rivers State, Nigeria where he was honored and conferred alongside his wife Adaze the title Mene Aborlo 1 of Ogoniland by the King, HRH GNK Gininwa. Speaking after the occasion,The ex Everton star said " I feel proud to be honored by my people. It's a day I will forever remember in my life. Now you can call me Chief Yobo.
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.
Cheer Leaders of Nigeria performing
The event started with a colorful presentation by Cheer Leaders of Nigeria. Then the moment everyone was waiting arrived, which was the kickoff. On hand to perform the routine opening ritual which is the "opening kick" (that event like this are know for) was the Governor of Rivers State, Governor Wike.
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.
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.
Team Nigeria Line Up
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.
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
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 MBGNAdaeze 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.
The highly anticipated testimonial match of former Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo comes up tomorrow at the Adokiye Ameasiemaka stadium, Port Harcourt by 4pm
Tickets for the match can be bought at the following centred listed below;
SLOT: 178 Aba Road, Port Harcourt
SLOT: Abacha Road, above Next Time Supermarket
NUJ Press Centre, Moscow, Moscow Road
The organizers went further to explain why the tickets are sold at strategic locations, "saying that it was to prevent faking of the tickets"
Also Joseph Yobo released information on how to get the ticket on his Twitter handle which is jyobo234directed fans interested in attending the game to purchase tickets from www.Ariiya.com
Nigeria striker Brown Ideye has said he would have wished to feature in Friday’s Joseph Yobo Testimonial, but for the fact he has also been recalled by the Super Eagles for friendlies against Mali and Luxembourg.
The Mali match will be played on the same day in France. The Olympiacos hit man said it would have been a great personal honour to be part of the Yobo Testimonial.
"I was like let me come home with my family play the game then go to the United States of America for holidays with my family, but I got called up.”
He added: “I was really looking forward to the game, to play for him because I played under him and he is a very good guy and it would have been a great honour to support him." Yobo became the first Nigerian to win 100 caps when he captained the Super Eagles in a 2014 World Cup game against France.
The Nigeria Football Federation have, however, released Eagles captain Mikel Obi and his assistant, Ahmed Musa, for the testimonial.
The duo of Vincent Enyeama and Emmanuel Emenike have arrived Nigeria for the Joseph Yobo slated for the 27th in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
According to fcnaija.com, the duo – both retired from international football – are presently in the country as they try to relax after a long season, as well as getting set for the testimonial match, which will be played in honour of Yobo.
Both Enyeama and Yobo are close friends with the former Super Eagles captain. Yobo forged good relationship when they both played for the Super Eagles, with the former Everton defender playing Enyeama’s best man at his wedding in 2006.
Yobo, 35, also became close friends with Emenike, when both men played in Turkey, and the relationship blossomed when Emenike began playing for the Super Eagles.
Meanwhile, several other international football stars are also expected, with Chelsea captain John Terry and former African footballers of the year, Samuel Eto’o and Didier Drogba.
Also expected are current Super Eagles stars John Obi Mikel and Ahmed Musa, as well as former Everton manager, David Moyes.
Top international stars like John Terry of Chelsea, Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto’o are due in Port Harcourt on Thursday for the Joseph Yobo testimonial, organisers have said.
The testimonial will be played at the Adokiye Amesiemaka Stadium in Port Harcourt on Friday, May 27th, and several international football stars both past and present are expected to participate.
Also expected are former and present Nigeria internationals like Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, Mikel Obi, Emmanuel Emenike and Ahmed Musa.
Yobo, 35, played for European clubs like Everton, Standard Liege and Olympique Marseille amongst others.
He also played 100 times for Nigeria, representing the country at six Africa Cup of Nations and three FIFA World Cups.
Former Nigeria captain Joseph Yobo is giving away hundreds of signed football items and match tickets leading up to a testimonial game in his honour on May 27 in Port Harcourt.
Yobo, who played 100 games for Nigeria, will give away signed shirts, boots, balls and tickets in the 10-day period leading up to the games
"I know a lot of people want to attend the game, and I am grateful to everyone. This is a very important time for me and I feel that the fans should share in this too," Yobo said.
"Because the match is marking my 100 games for Nigeria, I want to give out 100 items each. So there will be 100 balls, 100 jerseys, 100 balls and 100 tickets for fans.
"We want to encourage everyone to be part of this, so we will also run a competition for the kids who will walk the stars out to the pitch. Details will be available on our website and social media pages."
Yobo's official social media handles are @jyobo234 on Twitter and Instagram and on Facebook, it is Official: Joseph Yobo.
The game will be staged at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium Port Harcourt on May 27
Chelsea captain John Terry is the latest player from the English Premier League to confirm his availability in Port Harcourt for the Joseph Yobo Centenary Game scheduled for May 27 to celebrate the retirement of the former Super Eagles captain from football. The centre back, who captained between August 2006 and February 2010, and again from March 2011 to February 2012, confirmed his availability for the game to Yobo last weekend. “We are really excited by the confirmation of John Terry for the Yobo Centenary Game in Port Harcourt. He’s one big player who is very popular here in the country because of England and Chelsea’s large followership in Nigeria,” observed coordinator of the Centenary Game, Waidi Akanni. Both Thierry Henry and Wayne Rooney are also expected along with a host of other players from Europe. Also confirmed for the match are top African players like Samuel Eto’o Fils, the Ayew Brothers, Dede and Jordan, Sulley Muntari, Djibrin Cisse and Tresor Lualua amongst others. Akanni, a former Super Eagles player, said in Lagos that the Yobo testimonial has continued to generate interests from past and present players from around the world. “In the course of Yobo’s career that saw him clock 100 caps for Nigeria, he built so much goodwill around Europe. Anywhere you mention his name, people remember him with fond memories,” stressed Akanni. Last weekend, Yobo, who was special guest at Everton’s home game against Bournemouth, was duly hailed by fans who remembered his 10 years adventure there. Chants of ‘Yobo, Yobo, Yobo’ rocked the stands as fans honoured him.
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