Assistant coach of Super Eagles and former skipper of the team, Joseph Yobo has reacted to the trending Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup bribery allegation against the selection of the squad to the mundial by his former teammates.
Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi, Taye Taiwo and Brown Ideye, alleged that they didn’t make the trip to Brazil which was coached by late Stephen Keshi after declining to pay for selection and Yobo been the team captain then.
“As the captain of the team (at that time), I was privy to the goings on, most especially when we started the final camping leading to the tournament in Brazil.
“To the best of my knowledge, I can’t figure out any unethical doings but we need to also respect the personalities of the individuals who raised the allegation”, he was quoted by This Days.
The former Everton defender who is now the Super Eagles assistant coach, strongly refutes ever witnessing corruption throughout his 13 years with the Nigeria senior national side.
“I worked under several indigenous coaches, interestingly, Keshi and Amodu Shaibu of blessed memories were exceptional.
“All through my 13 years sojourn with the national team, no coach made such demand from me but would not want to join in the condemnation of the players who have come out to speak for themselves today.
Yobo who won 100 international cap with the Super Eagles between 2001-2014 however expressed great respect for the players involved and advised they move on as the World cup is now behind them.
“I have lots of respect for both players at the centre of this issue but we need to move on as the tournament in question is history,” concluded the Everton legend
