TheCable

Joseph Yobo, former Super Eagles center back and captain, has been appointed as assistant coach of the team by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

He will replace Imama Amapakabo in the three-time African champions’ technical crew, according to a statement by the federation on Wednesday.

Yobo, who played for the country’s U20 boys – Flying Eagles – during the FIFA World Youth Championship (now known as FIFA U20 World Cup) in 1999, won his first cap for the the senior team during an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Zambia in April 2001.

The 39-year-old former footballer played in three FIFA World Cup finals in 2002, 2010 and 2014, and also secured a total of 100 appearances for Nigeria at senior level.

On June 30, he made his 100th international appearance, captaining Nigeria in the 2-0 loss to France in the round of 16 at the World Cup in Brasilia.

After scoring an own goal in the defeat, Yobo announced his international retirement, saying: “This is it. I can look back on my career with great pride. I wanted to leave on a high for my country.

“Defeat by France was not the right way to go but I’m happy with all I’ve done for the national team. It’s time to give a chance to other people to come through.”

The attack–minded defender also played in six AFCON finals in 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2013, capping it with leading the Super Eagles to their third continental title in South Africa in 2013.