Yobo Urges U-20 To Work Harder And Be Super Stars

Former Nigeria skipper Joseph Yobo has urged the Flying Eagles to work harder so they could be bigger stars than he and his contemporaries were.

Yobo met up with the Nigeria U20s at the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos on their way to Ghana for two test matches against their Ghanaian counterparts.

“You can be bigger stars than we were,” Yobo told the players.

“I left this country for Europe when I was just 17 and before you know it, I was my family’s bread winner. You can also do same and even more, but you must be willing to work hard and make the necessary sacrifices.

“You have some great coaches and you only have to obey their instructions to make it in this game.”

Yobo, who has won a record 101 full international caps for Nigeria, also featured at the 1999 FIFA U20 World Cup, which Nigeria hosted.

Former Nigerian sports minister Bolaji Abdullahi also encountered the team at the airport and restated his belief that the Flying Eagles are the future of Nigerian football.

“I am delighted there is continuity in this squad, from U17 to now U20. This team is the future of Nigerian football, I have no doubt about this,” declared Abdullahi.

In the meantime, leader of the Nigerian delegation to the warm-up matches against Ghana Black Satellites, Emmanuel Ikpeme, has told the team he expects them to win in Ghana.

“We all know the rivalry between the two countries and so I expect you to ensure victory in these two matches,” tasked Ikpeme.

“A lot is now expected of you after your recent exploits in the Super 4 in Abuja.

“You cannot afford to relax, rather you have to be focused and professional so as to attain the height of your careers.”

The Flying Eagles had their first training at the Presbyterian Secondary School in Accra.

They trained for two hours with defender Zaharadeen Bello the only one who did not train fully with the rest of the squad on account of a swollen back foot.

The Flying Eagles will also train Sunday morning from 6.30am local time.

They will play against their Ghanaian counterparts on Monday and Wednesday before they return to Abuja on Thursday.