Yobo to set new national record

Captain Joseph Yobo will set a Nigerian record for international matches when the Super Eagles tackle the Wasps of Rwanda at the Stade Regionale de Nyamirambo in Kigali on Wednesday.

The 31-year-old defender equalled the Nigerian record of 86 caps, jointly held by late midfielder Mudashiru Lawal and former captain Nwankwo Kanu, when the Eagles swept past newly- crowned African champions Zambia 2-0 in Kaduna on November 15, 2011.

On Wednesday, Yobo will become the first Nigerian to get 87 caps through the 2013 African Cup of Nations qualifying match against the Rwanda.

The Nigeria Football Federation has congratulated the Fenerbahce defender, who will also celebrate 11 years on the road with the senior national team next month.

“This is a milestone that is worthy of recognition, and we commend Yobo for not only being in there for so long, but also serving as a role model for the upcoming players with his exemplary conduct and patriotism and zeal,” NFF General Secretary, Musa Amadu said on Monday.

Wednesday’s match will see a dream combination of Europe-based stars and the players from the domestic league, who did well in holding Angola’s Nations Cup-bound squad to a goalless draw in a friendly in Abuja in January and defeated Liberia 2-0 in Monrovia in February.

Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama has to convince the technical crew that he is as sharp as ever and deserving of the number one shirt ahead of Chigozie Agbim, while Yobo must compete for a central defence position with Azubuike Egwueke and Papa Idris.

Sunshine Stars’ skipper Godfrey Oboabona is sure to start at right back, but an intense battle looms at left back between England-based Taye Taiwo and Sharks’ Juwon Oshaniwa.

In the midfield, Dickson Etuhu, Victor Moses, Sani Kaita and Joel Obi will have to sweat out with NPL players Gabriel Reuben, Bartholomew Ibenegbu and Obinna Nwachukwu.

Upfront, Osaze Odemwingie, Ahmed Musa, Ikechukwu Uche and Yakubu Aiyegbeni must be up-and-doing with Uche Kalu, Ejike Uzoenyi and Sunday Mba, who scored the two goals against Liberia, all breathing down their necks.