Moyes, Rooney, Drogba, others for Yobo’s testimonial match
Moyes, Rooney, Drogba, others for Yobo’s testimonial match
Former Everton and Manchester United manager, David Moyes; Manchester United skipper, Wayne Rooney and ex- Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire captain, Didier Drogba are some of the top football personalities expected in Nigeria to honour former Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo in his testimonial match slated for May 27, at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Yobo who quit international football in 2014 told Extra Time in an interview during a well-attended world press conference held in Lagos on Tuesday to herald the testimonial match revealed that he is not in a position to mention all the international footballers that will grace the occasion, but assured that many top-class players have expressed willingness to be in Nigeria during the match that will officially announce his retirement from football.
“I can assure you that David Moyes whom I was the first player he signed as Everton Manager, as well as Wayne Rooney, Kolo Toure has all declared interest to be in Nigeria for the all-important match.
“We are also in talks with players like Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o and many others who have all expressed willingness to be part of the event and my worry now is how Rivers State Government will manage the influx of international players that will storm the city for the match,” Yobo said.
Chairman of the Organising Committee, John Mastoroudes, while expressing happiness that Yobo is being honoured alive commended him for his 100 caps for Nigeria which he attributed to dedication, commitment, hard work, discipline and team spirit, just as he expressed hope that his retirement will not be the end of his involvement in football development in the country.
“It is a thing of joy that Yobo will be honoured when he is still alive than when he is no more as is the practice in this part of the world.
“Since I came in contact with him, I discovered that he was cool-headed, disciplined, hardworking and fully committed to the national team which accounted to why he took risks in some matches involving the Super Eagles.
”He had to overlap and score important goals when the going gets tough and that is why it is necessary for the young players to emulate him,” noted the ex-manager of defunct Leventis United Football Club of Ibadan.
Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, Boma Iyaye, while promising that the event will not only be colourful, but it will be an opportunity for the visitors to savour the hospitality of Rivers State people.
He also noted that Governor Nyesom Wike is committed to a successful hosting of the testimonial match.
The press conference attracted many former national team coaches and ex- internationals, such as coaches Amodu Shaibu, Christian Chukwu, Augustine Eguavoen and Fanny Amu as well as former Super Eagles players like, Henry Nwosu, Taribo West, Tajudeen Disu, Waidi Akanni, Victor Ikpeba, Peter Rufai, Kanu Nwankwo and Austin Jay Jay Okocha, who all took turn to eulogize Yobo.
