Leadership (Abuja)
3 April 2011
Joseph Yobo has ruled out retiring from the Super Eagles in the immediate future. Instead, the defender has set his sights on hitting hundred appearances for his country.
The Nigeria skipper marked 80 caps and 10 unbroken years of international representation when he led the Super Eagles out against Ethiopia, and says he has rediscovered his love of the game.
“There was a time when things were so bad that I thought about retirement, but now the spirit has changed, the atmosphere has changed and I am enjoying the new set up,” Yobo told kickoffnigeria.com.
“I want to play on. When you are enjoying the game, enjoying family life, playing regularly for you club and staying fit, you can’t be thinking of retirement.
“For me, the target now is to try and see if I can get to 100 caps, and also win something. I have played for 10 years now and I haven’t won anything. But with this group of players and the coach, I believe we can win something.”
With more and more young players coming through, Yobo admits that no player’s position is safe.
“There are a lot of good young players coming through, and I know that I have to step up my game. But of course, if there is a player who comes in who is better than me, I will encourage him.”
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