By Francis Ajuonuma, Lagos
Veteran Nigerian coach, Joe Erico has said that the recent appointment of ex-international, Joseph Yobo is the right decision in the right direction.
The Authority recalls that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had last week appointed Yobo as an assistant coach to head coach of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr despite the fact that the former Everton of England defence strongman has no coaching experience.
Erico, while speaking with The Authority on the assignment, expressed optimism that the former Olympique Marseille of France, Fenerbahce of Turkey and Norwich of England star has what it takes to be a successful coach with the Super Eagles.
Erico, an assistant coach with the Super Eagles at the 2002 AFCON in Mali, will however urge football loving Nigerians and stakeholders to give Yobo all the support he needs to be successful in his new assignment with the national team.
“I’m impressed with the appointment of Joseph Yobo as an assistant coach with the Super Eagles. Yobo has served this country well and deserves to be appreciated. For sure he’s not the only ex-international to have played for the country but everyone can’t get the job.
Yobo was fantastic as a player for the national teams (Flying Eagles and Super Eagles) and with his experience, playing for several European clubs at the top level, I want to believe he has what it take to be a successful coach with the super Eagles,” he said
“Rather than we critise his appointment, we should give him all the necessary backings he needs to succeed. I see Yobo as a future coach for Nigeria, so working under Gernot Rohr will help his development as a coach,” he added, noting that Yobo’s presence in the team would improve the atmosphere within the dressing room.
Yobo spent over 13 years playing for the Super Eagles captained the team to win the 2013 AFCON in South Africa
