Joseph Yobo’s journey to a testimonial

22.05.2016 14:38

– Joseph Yobo was a versatile player who played in three different positions

– The recognition with a testimonial by the Rivers State government is commendable

– He is a true and genuine servant to Nigerian football

– The knack of giving back to under-privileged must be praised

– A consummate professional who represented his clubs and country with dignity.

A versatile player who exhibited leadership quality, immense composure, discipline and professionalism during his playing career who has the knack of giving back to the poor, even after his retirement from the round leather game – Joseph Yobo.

River State government have done the right and commendable thing to acknowledge and honour his scandal-free patriotic contribution to the nation.

It is indicative of how loved and revered he is amongst his peers that so many of them volunteered to participate and grace this testimonial.

It is safe to say how gut-wrenching it must be for him to turn down several of them as only so many can participate.

Moreso, to be able to accommodate deprived children who he has invested so much time and money to give them hope for a better future.
Yobo was born on 6 September 1980 in Kono, a community in the Khana area of Rivers State Nigeria

The journey

Yobo began his international career at the U20 level as a striker, playing alongside Julius Aghahowa, Eddy Dombrau and Pius Ikedia.
A journey that led him to be the first male Nigerian footballer to reach the milestone of 100 international caps, only recently usurped by Victor Enyeama.

He played in three different positions – as a striker and a right-back, before making the centre-back position his own, where he excelled both at club and international level.

He left Nigeria to a Belgian club, Standard liege in 1998, the rest as they say, is history. Before moving on to Marseille, Everton , Fenerbahce and Norwich, winning two medals along the way.

He was once on the verge of joining Arsenal in 2006 but for the refusal of Everton to sell. Subsequently, he became the first African to captain the club, as well as the record appearance holder for an overseas player, a record he held till 2012.

Yobo married former Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, Adaeze Igwe in a low-key ceremony held at midnight in April 2010 after a brief courtship. They are now blessed with two children.

Giving back

Yobo is a cheerful giver, who founded the Joseph Yobo Charity Foundation, a non-governmental organisation that help the under-privileged children in Nigeria.

An organisation that handed out over 300 scholarship awards ranging from primary school to university level education.

He also started a Football academy in the Ogoni region of Nigeria in addition to running Football camps in Lagos.

Club career and honours

Standard Liege
1998 – 2001 Joined in 1998 but only made his league debut in 2000, making 46 appearances before moving on to Marseille in 2001

Marseille
2001 – 2003 Signed a two-year contract, appearing 23 times before going out on loan to Everton which was made permanent in 2003

Everton
2002 – 2012 Initially joined on loan in 2012 before the deal was made permanent after a squabble with Marseille was resolved. He was the first club signing for the then manager, David Moyes, helping them qualify for both the Uefa Champions League and the Uefa Cup.

Fenerbahce
2012 – 2014 Moved to Fenerbahce on August 31, 2010 on an initial one-year loan contract and helped the club win the Turkish league title (2010-2011). The loan was renewed for the following season, during when he won the Turtish Cup (2011-2012). The deal was made permanent on August 4, 2012 for three years, winning another Turkish Cup (2012-2013). The contract was later terminated by a mutual agreement before the 2014-15 season.

Norwich
Jan-June 2014 Joined Norwich on loan for the remainder of the season on 30 January, 2014 with a view to a permanent move which was not taken up, leading to his retirement.

International career and honour

2001 – 2014

Joseph Yobo made his Super Eagle’s debut on 24 March, 2001 against Zambia. He was appointed the Super Eagle’s captain after the international retirement of Nwakwo Kanu, culminating in lifting the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations trophy in the 1-0 final defeat of Burkina Faso.

Stephen Keshi turned back to him in 2014 for his tenacious and reliable defending – a good reader of the ball with fantastic positional play, after losing his place in the side for a while. He was the captain of the national team until his retirement in June 2014 when he made his 100th international appearance against France in the round of 16.

He achieved an individual honour of being voted in the best African XI 2007-2008

Yobo is mum about his next plan after retirement, it is still unknown if he will be a football coach like some ex-international or venture into punditary. A worthy testimonial for one so under-rated but level headed and a great patriotic servant of the nation.

The post Joseph Yobo’s journey to a testimonial appeared first on Nigeria News today & Breaking news | Read on NAIJ.COM (Nigerian newspapers).