Super Eagles legend Joseph Yobo has opened up about the challenges he faced during his time as a coach with the Nigerian national team. Yobo, who had a highly successful playing career, notably being part of the Super Eagles squad that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) under Stephen Keshi, admitted that his stint as an assistant coach did not go as he had hoped.
After retiring from international football in 2014, following Nigeria’s loss to France in the FIFA World Cup round of 16, Yobo transitioned into coaching. In February 2020, he was appointed as one of the Super Eagles’ assistant coaches.
Reflecting on his coaching experience, Yobo expressed disappointment with the way Nigerian coaches are treated, stating, “The only reason I hesitated to join the coaching crew was because of how coaches are treated. It’s not encouraging.” He revealed that after finishing his playing career, he was reluctant to pursue coaching due to the lack of success and recognition often associated with Nigerian coaches.
Despite initial hesitations, Yobo embraced the coaching role and found enjoyment in the job, seeing it as an opportunity to grow. “I realized I had it in me. I was even told I could be the next Stephen Keshi,” Yobo shared. However, his tenure was cut short after the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, leading to the dismissal of the entire coaching staff.
Yobo expressed his disappointment with the abrupt decision, stating, “I was highly disappointed when everyone was told to go, even though they had assured me ‘no shaking.’” Despite this setback, the former Super Eagles captain hasn’t ruled out a return to coaching in the future, though it’s not his current focus.