Moyes, Rooney, Drogba, others for Yobo Testimonial

Former Everton and Manchester United Manager, David Moyes, England and Manchester United captain, Wayne Rooney, and ex-Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire captain, Didier Drogba, are some of the personalities expected to be in Nigeria to honour former Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo at his testimonial billed for the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, Rivers State on May 27. Yobo, who quit international football in 2014, told National Mirror at a world press conference to announce the testimonial, that the listed players were among the many expected to honour him at the event. “Many of them have expressed willingness to be in Nigeria for the match that will officially announce my retirement from football,” the former Fernebache star said. “I can assure you that David Moyes who signed me as his first player as Everton manager as well as Wayne Rooney will be here,” he added, stressing, “Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto’o will also be here.

My worry now is how Rivers State Government will manage the influx of international players.” Chairman of the Organising Committee, John Mastoroudes, who expressed delight that Yobo was not honoured post-humously, commended the former Nigeria international for attaining 100 caps for the Eagles, a feat he attributed to dedication, commitment, hard work, discipline and team spirit. “I hope that Joseph’s retirement will not be the end of his involvement in football development in Nigeria,” the famed Greco-Nigerian remarked. “Since I came in contact with him, I discovered that he was cool-headed, disciplined, hardworking and fully committed to the national team which accounted to why he took risks in some matches involving the Eagles when he had to overlap and score important goals and that is why it is necessary for the young players to emulate him,” the former team manager of defunct Leventis United Football Club of Ibadan further said.

River State Commissioner for Sports, Boma Iyaye, also said at the occasion that the event would be colourful in addition to portraying the renowned Rivers State hospitality “Governor Nyesom Wike is committed to a successful hosting of the testimonial,” Iyaye said. The conference attracted former Super Eagles’ coaches and ex-internationals, among who were Shaibu Amodu Shaibu, Christian Chukwu, Augustine Eguavoen and Fanny Amu, as well as Henry Nwosu, Taribo West, Victor Ikpeba, Peter Rufai, Nwankwo Kanu and Austin Jay Jay Okocha who took turns to eulogize Yobo as they called on upcoming players to emulate his committed service to national cause.